Test Call For Johnson

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.

Discuss it on the message board!