James Kirtley will fly back from the north-east today to boost Sussex's Championship challenge after just missing out on his Test debut - again.

Somerset's Richard Johnson was given the nod this morning ahead of the Sussex paceman for the second Test against Zimbabwe at Chester-le-Street.

Kirtley will now fly from Newcastle to Gatwick and should be at Tunbridge Wells by 4pm.

Sussex have already nominated left-armer Paul Hutchison, who is making his first Championship appearance of the season, as the man he will replace, although Director of Cricket Peter Moores admitted it was a tough decision to make.

He said: "Hutch has been bowling really well and we thought long and hard before deciding he would have to step down if James comes back.

"The same goes about leaving Mark Davis out, I really felt for him because his control has been excellent even though he hasn't got a big haul of wickets. We have a lot of hungry cricketers which is a good sign."

The decision to omit Kirtley allows Somerset seamer Johnson to make his Test match debut eight years after originally being called into an international squad.

He replaces Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard, who has been ruled out for six weeks after tearing the cartilage in his right knee, and was the only change to the England side who claimed an innings-and-92-run opening Test victory over Zimbabwe at Lord's.

Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath was not expected to be able to contribute much with the ball, having suffered a side strain on the final day of the win at Lord's, but retained his place as a batsman.

Zimbabwe named an unchanged side yesterday despite their humiliation at Lord's, aiming to avoid becoming the first side to lose a Test series against England in a year.

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