County cricket round-up

England and Essex wicketkeeper James Foster made an encouraging comeback against Middlesex at Southgate today after being out for three months with a broken bone in his wrist.

He held a routine catch to dismiss Ben Hutton (65) off the bowling of 20-year-old Justin Bishop. But he may have a tough job shifting Alec Stewart from the England team.

Middlesex lefthanders Sven Koenig (95 not out) and Hutton, who hit four sixes, helped Middlesex to 190 for two off 60 overs.

Foster had little to do as boundaries were plentiful, with several breaks taken to find the ball.