FORMER Frinton and Essex cricketer Ben Foakes has been included in England’s 16-man Ashes squad bound for Australia.

The 24-year-old is uncapped at senior level but has been preferred to Jos Buttler as Jonny Bairstow's deputy wicketkeeper.

It is a major achievement for the right-handed batsman, who went to Tendring Technology College.

Foakes made his debut for England Under-19s in January 2011, playing two Youth Test matches against Sri Lanka Under-19s during England's tour to Sri Lanka.

It was during that tour that he made his Youth One Day International debut.

Foakes made his debut for Essex in 2011 against the touring Sri Lankans, in Chelmsford.

In September 2011, he signed a professional contract which ran until 2013 and then the following year, in the August, he joined Surrey.

England have also included vice-captain Ben Stokes in their Ashes squad, despite his arrest on Monday.

Hampshire batsman James Vince and Yorkshire's Gary Ballance are recalled, but Essex's Tom Westley misses out.

Uncapped Somerset seamer Craig Overton, 23, is preferred to Mark Wood, who remains troubled by an ankle injury.

England squad: Joe Root, Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Dawid Malan, Gary Ballance, James Vince, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jake Ball, Mason Crane, Craig Overton.