Knee injury rules out Johnson

Richard Johnson has been ruled out of next week's NatWest Challenge series against Pakistan after sustaining a knee injury. He played a limited part in training in Cardiff ahead of Saturday's warm-up match against Wales and was ruled out for the next week after consultation with England medical staff.

It is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Johnson, who was first called into an England squad for the trip to South Africa in 1995-96, but had to withdraw with a back injury. He had remained on the fringes ever since, but eventually made his international debut against Zimbabwe in last week's second Test at Durham, at the age of 28, and picked up two wickets in his first over en route to figures of 6 for 33.

Sussex's James Kirtley will become Johnson's temporary replacement, although he will not be in consideration for the Wales match. England are optimistic that Johnson will be fit again in time for the opening match of the NatWest Series against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge next Thursday.

"Richard's knee is swollen and sore and we have ruled him out of all cricket for the next week," said Dr Peter Gregory, England's chief medical officer. "But we are hopeful he will be ready to return for the NatWest Series."