Johnson called up for second Test

Back in the fold: Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson, the uncapped Somerset fast bowler, is the one new name in England's squad of 12 for the second npower Test against Zimbabwe, which starts at Chester-le-Street on Thursday (June 5).

Johnson replaces Matthew Hoggard from the side that won the first Test, at Lord's, by an innings inside three days. Hoggard injured his knee earlier this week playing for Yorkshire in the C&G Trophy. James Kirtley, 12th man at Lord's, retains his place in the squad, and the last place in the starting XI probably lies between those two. Johnson might just edge it by virtue of his better batting credentials - earlier this year he smote his maiden first-class century.

Johnson, who's now 28, has been close to England selection before: after a good 1995 season with his then-county Middlesex, he was chosen for the winter tour of South Africa, but had to pull out with back trouble. He was also called up for two Tests of the 2001 Ashes series, but missed out when the team was named, and toured India in 2001-02 without making the Test side.

David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, said: "Richard Johnson has 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. He is in good form and is a bowler who is capable of 90mph pace and making the ball swing."

The only other absentee from the squad called up for Lord's is Andy Flintoff, who is still unable to bowl after injuring his shoulder. But he showed yesterday that he can still bat, hammering a rapid 154 for Lancashire against Kent at Canterbury.

Graveney explained: "Andrew Flintoff is back playing for Lancashire as a batsman and we will continue to monitor his fitness. But we did not consider him for this Test match as we feel that he is not yet ready for the rigours of a five-day game."

Flintoff's replacement, Anthony McGrath, is set to retain his place after a promising debut at Lord's - he scored 69 and took three wickets - even though he picked up a side injury that will restrict his bowling.

Either Johnson or Kirtley will be winning his first cap, but the focus on Thursday will be on another Test debutant. The Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street in Durham will be England's first new Test venue for 101 years - since Sheffield's Bramall Lane in 1902. England lost that game to Australia and never played in Sheffield again, but the Riverside, with its clean stands and room to breathe, should have a much rosier future.

England Squad Marcus Trescothick (Somerset), Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire), Mark Butcher (Surrey), Nasser Hussain (capt, Essex), Robert Key (Kent), Alec Stewart (wkt, Surrey), Anthony McGrath (Yorkshire), Ashley Giles (Warwickshire), Richard Johnson (Somerset), Stephen Harmison (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), James Kirtley (Sussex).