(LONDON) Graham Thorpe has revealed that pulling out of the Ashes tour had been the ''hardest decision'' of his cricket career.

Thorpe was picked this month in the England squad to face Australia only after convincing the selectors he was in the right frame of mind to undertake the trip Down Under despite his recent marital problems.

But on Monday night he contacted the England management - currently in Colombo where the team has just been knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy - to say he will not be touring after all.

Thorpe said he felt it was ''better to be honest'' with the England selectors and pull out now rather than risk doing so during the tour.

The 33-year-old Surrey left hander issued a statement today which read: ''I have informed the selectors that I wish to withdraw from the tour to Australia.

''During the six weeks away from the game my personal situation did improve and I felt that I was able to make myself available for the tour. Since returning to the game I have found it difficult to consistently concentrate on cricket and I must be totally focused for the tour.

''I therefore feel it is better to be honest with the England cricket team, the management, and myself now, rather than during the Ashes tour. It would be wrong for me to go to Australia purely for the financial gain that it would bring me whilst I am finding it difficult to fully focus on the job in hand 100% of the time.

''This has been the hardest decision of my cricket career. I ask that I may be given the respect and privacy required so that I may recover to play cricket at highest level next season.''

Surrey chief executive Paul Sheldon pledged the county's backing for the troubled Thorpe.

''It is best for everyone concerned that a final decision over this winter's tour has been made now,'' said Sheldon. ''We will continue to do everything we can to help Graham through this very difficult time. Surrey is his cricketing home and we will be in very close touch throughout the winter.''

Earlier England's chairman of selectors David Graveney said Thorpe's decision to pull out of the tour had been based on a determination not to let anyone down.

Selectors admitted when picking Thorpe it was a gamble but he had managed to convince the England hierarchy - skipper Nasser Hussain, coach Duncan Fletcher and Graveney - he was ready to tackle the tour.

Graveney revealed Thorpe's doubts had resurfaced as the tour departure date - October 17 - drew nearer.

He told Radio 4's Today programme: ''It's obviously a disappointment for the team, but you've got to be sympathetic to Graham in terms of what he has been through in the last few months.

''The bottom line is that he didn't want to let anyone down and he couldn't commit himself to going on tour.

Graveney confirmed Thorpe had made the decision because he did not want to be away from his family.

''Without delving into it publicly, that is why he has pulled out,'' said Graveney. I have no conception of the turmoil that Graham has been through in the last six months. I respect his view and we'll leave it like that.

''We respect that and I didn't try to talk him round for one instance. He has pulled out and we have to find a replacement.''

Thorpe's absence this winter leaves a middle-order batting spot up for grabs with Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key among the favourites to get the nod.

''Graham Thorpe still remains one of our best batsmen and we hadn't catered for this situation,'' added Graveney. ''When Nasser comes back from Sri Lanka, the selectors will link up and we will chose a replacement.

''Duncan's reaction would be the same as mine. We feel great sympathy for Graham and understand his problems. We can't replace a player of Graham Thorpe's quality, but we will chose a replacement.''

24 Sep, 2002