By Paul Bakel
June 1 2003
Richard Johnson earned his second England call-up in three days when he was named in the 12-man squad for the second Test against Zimbabwe.
| Home > Story Archive > Test Call For Johnson | |
|
Richard Johnson earned his second England
call-up in three days when he was named in the 12-man squad for the second
Test against Zimbabwe. The uncapped Somerset seamer was brought into the squad as a
replacement for Matthew Hoggard, who is out for around six weeks after
tearing a cartilage in his right knee. Johnson is the only new face in the squad which overwhelmed Zimbabwe at
Lord's and follows his call-up into England's new-look one-day party as
one of six uncapped players announced at Lord's on Thursday. Andrew Flintoff has also been overlooked while he recovers from the
shoulder injury which ruled him out at Lord's despite a timely century for
Lancashire against Kent at Canterbury on Friday. "Richard's been in our plans for a while and has been selected now that
he is fully fit again after suffering from a groin strain earlier in the
season," said chairman of selectors David Graveney. "He's in good form and is a bowler who is capable of 90mph pace and
making the ball swing. At this stage, it's our intention to play the same
side as we did at Lord's with Richard and James Kirtley competing for the
place made available by Matthew Hoggard's injury. "Andrew Flintoff is back playing for Lancashire as a batsman and we
will continue to monitor his fitness, but we didn't consider him for this
Test match as we feel that he's not yet ready for the rigours of a
five-day game." Johnson, who toured India two winters ago without breaking into the
side for any of the three Tests and was forced to withdraw from the tour
to South Africa in 1995-96, had been considered for the opening Test only
to be ruled out again with injury. |
|
| Message Board | |
