Johnson and Ball get a call

By Ted Corbett

LONDON, NOV. 2. Fast bowler Richard Johnson of Somerset and Gloucestershire off-spinner Martyn Ball have been included in the England party for the tour of India to replace Andrew Caddick and Robert Croft.

Johnson, 26, began his career with Middlesex and was chosen for the tour of South Africa in 1995-96, but suffered a back injury which hampered him repeatedly during the remainder of his time at Lord's. A year ago he shifted his loyalty to Somerset where he blossomed with 67 wickets last summer; probably because he had either help when Caddick was bowling at the other end or the chance to prove himself when Caddick went to the Tests.

He was called into the England squad last summer but failed to make the final line-up and, like James Ormond the Leicestershire bowler who is also on the trip to India, must be determined to prove he can deliver the goods. At least Ormond, 24, and Johnson, strong, powerfully built young men, can be relied on to stay fit, although Ormond, like Craig White and Ashley Giles, has to pass a fitness test next week.

Ball's place came after a massive debate. Nasser Hussain, the captain, wanted his old tour companion Phil Tufnell as the replacement for Croft but a determined argument from David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, and the No. 4 selector Geoff Miller won the day. No doubt, Tufnell's history as a maverick, not to mention a tour of India in 1993 which produced more histrionics than wickets, was the deciding factor. Many people think his bowling has deteriorated; just as many believe he is still the best slow bowler in England and a long way ahead of Ball.

There is one last path to India for Tufnell. I hear that Giles, the 17-wicket star of the series in Pakistan a year ago, will go on the tour even if he is still 10 per cent unfit. So he is unlikely to play in a single Test as he is a fortnight behind with his fitness programme and the whole tour lasts only 42 days. Ball, 31, whose great moments have been as a back-up spin bowler during Gloucestershire's magnificent Cup triumphs, and the least likely selection of all even a few days ago may still have to step into the Test side. So Tufnell is once again

likely to be overlooked.

Despite 34 wickets last summer, Ball, has in 13 years with Gloucestershire, taken just 276 wickets in 145 matches at nearly 40 each. Those are not the figures of a natural-born Test star. He averages below 20 with the bat. Jeremy Snape, another Gloucestershire spinner, would have been the selectors' choice but for an injury during the one-day trip to Zimbabwe.

So essentially, the spin bowling is left in the hands of the off- spinner Richard Dawson, 21, who made his Yorkshire debut last summer. ``What a wonderful opportunity for him,'' said an enthusiastic England and Wales Cricket Board official last night. Dawson has been praised by every former England off- spinner but the great bowlers of his type - Ray Illingworth, Fred Titmus, Jim Laker - did not begin to win Tests until they were in their 30s. Dawson v Harbhajan Singh may be the key tussle of the series although in the present climate few people in this country are willing to risk their safety or an air fare to watch. So no Barmy Army and no encouraging chants.

Graveney said: ``We opted for Richard because he has the ability to swing the ball at pace, hits the deck hard and can bowl long spells. We believe that Giles will pass his fitness test.'' Ball said: ``At 31, I did wonder if my chance of an England cap might have gone but last season went extremely well and I feel that I have matured.'' Johnson added: ``It didn't really enter my head not to go on tour. This might be the only opportunity I get with England and I want to take it.''

The squad: Nasser Hussain (capt.), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Ramprakash, James Foster, Warren Hegg, Craig White, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Michael Vaughan, James Ormond, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, Usman Afzaal, Richard Dawson, Richard Johnson and Martyn Ball.

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