Graham Thorpe's chances of featuring in this winter's Ashes have been put in serious jeopardy with the news he will not play for Surrey again this season.

Thorpe, 33, excluded himself from all cricket within minutes of England completing the 170-run 1st Test win over India at Lord's on July 29, a fortnight after retiring from the one-day international scene.

Both decisions were taken in order to sort out his personal life - he has recently been through a divorce from wife Nicky and has made spending time with his two young children Henry and Amelia his main priority.

It was hoped the left-handed batsman would return before the end of the summer to push his claims for inclusion on the Australian tour but following a meeting with Surrey chief executive Paul Sheldon this morning that no longer appears an option.

Thorpe was to inform the England management of his intentions on Monday, and a Surrey spokesman said: ``It's extremely unlikely that Graham will play for Surrey again this season.

``The club have been very supportive of him during this difficult time and have no doubt he will return from this break reinvigorated and ready for next season.''

Rated by the Australians as England's best player, a 12-month central contract and a place on tour this winter are now far from certain.

For Thorpe, a top-band earner in the England contract scheme, there could also be serious financial implications with the annual deal likely to be worth between £150,000-£200,000.

Upon taking the break, Thorpe said: ``I am fully aware of the consequences as far as my England Test place is concerned.

``This will create an opportunity for another player to come into the team and I have had to balance that possibility against the needs of my family.

``Retirement is definitely not in my mind at the moment, I feel that I have plenty more cricket in me at the highest level and hopefully this break will recharge my batteries and allow me to resume my career once my domestic situation has been resolved.''

Thorpe's 77-Test England career has been fragmented since his debut in 1993. He returned from tours of South Africa and Australia with injuries, in 1995-96 and 1998-99 respectively, and then opted out of the 1999-2000 tour to South Africa.

Subsequently overlooked for five matches in the summer of 2000, Thorpe was undoubtedly Nasser Hussain's side's top performer in Pakistan and Sri Lanka the following winter.

But a calf injury and a broken finger curtailed his presence last summer in the triangular one-day tournament and the Ashes series. Then, in India last December, he left the tour on the eve of the 2nd Test at Ahmedabad because of his marital problems.

Things appeared on the up when he scored the second-fastest double century in Test cricket history in New Zealand in March and added an 11th century against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.

Hussain insists that when focused Thorpe has the ability to 'just rock up and score hundreds' while Australia captain Steve Waugh, at Kent for the next month, suggested that he is revered down under, praise indeed for a Pom.

``He's a class player and he has made a decision that's right for his family, you have to respect him for that, it's a courageous decision when you are playing for your country and he wouldn't have made it lightly,'' said Waugh.

``I just hope he comes back and plays Test cricket or one-day cricket again.''

County championship leaders Surrey continue to show unflagging support, having played the waiting game once already this season when Adam Hollioake was granted as much time as necessary before returning, following the death of brother Ben in March.

Coach Keith Medlycott said: ``People often don't realise or refuse to realise there's a lot more to life outside cricket. Anyone who sees it as the be-all and end-all couldn't be more wrong.

``At Surrey we respect each and every character that is part of the squad. We all understand there are a lot more important things in our lives than hitting a cricket ball.

``In our dressing room there's a lot of respect, love and friendship for each other and you need to understand all the implications of what happens outside of the cricket ground.''

England have so far been understanding but are also preparing for the possibility Thorpe, the only current player with an average over 40 against Australia, may be missing this winter.

The Ashes party is due to be announced either before or after the final Test against India at The Oval - starting on September 5 - and there now appears to be at least one very difficult decision ahead.

20 Aug, 2002