LONDON (Reuters)
England wicketkeeper James Foster has refused to enter a debate on former captain Alec Stewart's decision to make himself available for a one-day series against India in the New Year.

The 21-year-old Foster, widely regarded as one of England's brightest prospects after the recent Test series in India, is backing his own talent to keep his place in the team.

Stewart, who initially declined to tour India after allegations there that he was involved in match-fixing, said last week he was prepared to be considered for the upcoming one-day series in India to be played in January and February.

But Foster told BBC radio on Monday: "I've got no idea about that. Obviously I'm just trying to do my job really and that's about it."

England captain Nasser Hussain has strongly hinted that Foster's place in the side is assured for the one-dayers, as originally planned.

"It's nice to hear that Alec has made himself available but the one-day squad has been selected," Hussain told Monday's Evening Standard newspaper.

"But, in the future, his (Stewart's) name will be in the hat. We've been spoiled by having Alec Stewart - a world-class batsman and wicketkeeper - around. Fossie can improve but he doesn't have to be Alec Stewart yet. He has to be Alec Stewart in two to three years."

Both Hussain and England coach Duncan Fletcher praised Foster's performances in the last two Tests of the series in India and the young wicketkeeper wants to repay their faith.

"It's really nice to get the backing from your coach and captain. Hopefully I can try to support them," he said.

Foster got off to an unimpressive start in the series against India, scoring nought and four on his debut in Mohali and making a catalogue of errors behind the stumps.

But he bounced back in the second Test in Ahmedabad, contributing a useful 40 with the bat in England's first innings and sharing in a significant stand of 105 for the seventh wicket with allrounder Craig White.

He then finished the series with a gutsy first-innings 48 in the rain-hit third Test in Bangalore. An immaculate display behind the stumps, for the second game in a row, left Foster with an overall tally of five catches and a memorable stumping to deny India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar his second century of the series.

"That stumping was nice," he said. "Obviously Tendulkar's a world-class player and never seems to want to get out. But Ashley Giles lured him down the wicket and it was very exciting times when I stumped him.

"I was very disappointed with the way I played in the first Test. I felt like I let the lads down but I was delighted with the way I came back in the second and third matches."

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