Thorpe still keen to tour Australia

Graham Thorpe has indicated that he still wants to be considered for England's tour of Australia. Thorpe, who has taken a complete break from cricket since the Lord's Test against India five weeks ago, has asked for more time before committing himself to the trip.

Thorpe told the Daily Telegraph: "I've not really spoken to anyone on a regular basis since Lord's, so I want to see what kind of vibes I'm getting from the selectors.

"I'm well aware that I haven't played for a month, so I'm not looking for assurances. But I don't want to muck them around either and would like to know where I stand."

The England captain, Nasser Hussain, today confirmed that he has had discussions with Thorpe about the issue this week.

"We spoke in messages for about three days and I spoke to him at length for the last couple of days," Hussain explained.

"He has said to me he would like to go to Australia, but there are still problems he has to sort out and Graham has to convince himself and the selectors that he can get through.

"My hunch is that only Graham knows. Then the selectors have to decide if he is right mentally to get through the whole thing."

Thorpe returned home early from England's tour of India last winter. With the Ashes squad due to be announced on September 10, there is little time left to discuss the Surrey batsman's possible inclusion.