Richard Johnson - off to India Photo CricInfo

It says much for cricket's resurgence in the West Country that England's selectors have picked both their tour replacements for India from the same patch. Somerset, whose supporters must at times have tired of reminiscing about the glory days of Richards, Botham and Garner, have the first Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy in their Taunton cabinet. One of the primary architects of that success, fast bowler Richard Johnson, will be on the plane to Mumbai next week.

For Johnson's international aspirations, fate's summer frown has mellowed into an autumnal smile. Three times he was called into the England squad during the Ashes series; three times he was rebuffed at the last minute. But he bore such rejection stoically.

"Really it was my friends and family who were frustrated with the situation," Johnson said. "I was just happy to be involved, and gaining experience of Test match grounds during the summer against the Aussies. It was great."

It is ironic that Johnson is going to India as a result of the withdrawal of his county team-mate Andrew Caddick. "I understand Caddy's decision 100 per cent. I'm in a different situation. I'm 26 years old, and opportunities like this don't always come round. I'm going to grab this one with both hands."

Johnson generates sharp pace off a relatively short run, with a vigorous delivery action. He can also swing the ball and move it off the seam, a key factor in winning him the selectors' vote ahead of Chris Silverwood and Martin Bicknell. "In India as a seamer you've got to try and keep it tight, but if you can swing the ball you've got a chance of taking wickets, so hopefully if the ball swings out there I've got a chance."

With a haul of 62 first-class wickets in 2001, Johnson's move from Middlesex to Somerset is plainly bearing fruit. "It was a very difficult decision to leave Middlesex. I'd been there since I was nine years old. In my heart of hearts Middlesex is my club, but I knew that Kevin Shine could help me at Somerset. My gut feeling was to move, and I knew it could help my career, and so far it's proved right."

If the momentum continues over the rest of this year, at least three players from England's westernmost county – Trescothick, Caddick and Johnson – will be vying for international honours in 2002.

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