Ben Foakes, the Colchester & East Essex CC batsman-wicketkeeper, has been chosen as one of four young professionals to play first class cricket in Sri Lanka this winter before he starts his new career with Surrey.

The ECB announced the initiative this week – the second in Sri Lanka in recent years - handing Foakes, his former Essex team-mate Tom Westley, Scott Borthwick (Durham) and Will Tavare (Gloucestershire) a splendid opportunity to gain experience of the subcontinent, training and playing in List A and Premier Trophy competitions.

The ECB said that the four players had been identified by England Performance Programme coaches Graham Thorpe and Peter Such. The plan is for Foakes, joining Colts CC, and Tavare, with Tamil Union CC, to fly out to Sri Lanka on 23 November, ready to start playing.

The England Performance Programme will be holding a two-week spin and batting training camp in Colombo, and Westley is scheduled to remain in Sri Lanka with Bloomfield CC when the programme finishes on 9 December. Leg-spinner Borthwick, already capped by England, will only feature in first class matches in the new year, attached to Chilaw Marians CC.

The experience should give former England Under-19 batsman Foakes, 21, a useful boost before he starts at the Oval hoping to force his way into the Surrey side,  most likely competing with the incumbent Gary Wilson. Colts, with Angelo Mathews and Chaminda Vaas as two well-known members, are one of the stronger clubs, winning the Sri Lankan first class championship most recently in 2012.

The ECB disclosed that Robert Croft, the former England and Glamorgan spinner, would be setting up this year's programme in Colombo. Peter Such, the Performance Centre's leading spin coach said the selected four had impressed with their performances in county cricket over the summer.

“They are all high-potential players, who we are keen to see develop,” Such added. “This winter in Sri Lanka will provide them with crucial exposure to playing in challenging subcontinental conditions and within a totally different culture and environment. We ran a similar programme three years ago, which featured Moeen Ali, so I have no doubt that this will be a hugely valuable experience for them and I hope that they make the most of the opportunity to learn and develop as players and people.”