Kirtley out of England squad as Johnson returns

England released Sussex James Kirtley from their squad on Monday, for the upcoming NatWest series with South Africa and Zimbabwe, following Richard Johnson's return to fitness.

England released Sussex fast bowler James Kirtley from their squad on Monday, for the upcoming triangular one-day series with South Africa and Zimbabwe, following Richard Johnson's return to fitness.

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Somerset paceman Johnson, 28, who took six wickets on his Test debut against Zimbabwe earlier this month, missed England's 2-1 one-day series win over Pakistan with a knee injury, having originally taken Kirtley's spot in the 15-man one-day squad.

Kirtley did not feature in the Pakistan series which England wrapped up on Sunday with a four-wicket win at Lord's.

England open the triangular series, against Zimbabwe, at Trent Bridge on Thursday.