LONDON, May 31: Uncapped Somerset pace bowler Richard Johnson was named on Saturday in the England squad for the second Test against Zimbabwe starting at Chester-le-Street on Thursday in place of the injured Matthew Hoggard.

Hoggard, who has a knee injury, and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who is recovering from a shoulder problem which is affecting his ability to bowl and field, have both been ruled out.

England won the first Test at Lord’s by an innings and 92 runs within three days.

“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,” said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

“At this stage, it is 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 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.”

Squad: Nasser Hussain (captain), James Anderson, Mark Butcher, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Robert Key, James Kirtley, Richard Johnson, Anthony McGrath, Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan.—Reuters