(LONDON) England cited the need for continuity in their Test squad as they sprang a minor surprise by recalling Robert Key to replace Graham Thorpe for this winter's Ashes.

On the day England also rewarded Ian Blackwell for his exciting contribution to an otherwise disappointing ICC Champions Trophy campaign by including him as one of seven one-day specialists to join the Test squad down under, it was Key who scooped the big call-up.

The Kent opener has beaten the likes of Mark Ramprakash and Nick Knight to take the place of Thorpe, who had to defect from the squad last week because of ongoing complications in his family life.

Key conceded he was a little surprised to be named ahead of Ramprakash in particular, following his two Tests against India this summer in which he felt he could have done much better.

''It has been a funny time, because obviously you start trying to work out if you have a chance of going,'' he said.

''But Ramps seemed to be the name everyone was mentioning, so it was a very nice surprise when I got the call last night.''

Key is determined to make the most of his opportunity to return to the country where he impressed in the England Academy squad 12 months ago.

He said: ''The Ashes is the one trip I have always really wanted to be on. I have spent a lot of time in Australia in the last few winters, so it will be great to go back and see a lot of friends - especially because I will be doing it as an Ashes tourist.''

Key's Test appearances at Trent Bridge and Headingley last summer yielded a little under 100 runs - and he admits he failed to build at least twice on good starts.

''The annoying thing in the Tests was that I felt I did all the hard work and then did not get the result, looking maybe to be a bit too aggressive and getting out,'' he said.

''I ended up with a couple of 30s and 17 and was left thinking it could have been a hell of a lot better. That was my biggest regret. Every time you get out like that you are left thinking what you should have done.

''But it is so much worse in Test matches. If it happens in a county match you will probably get a chance the next day to have another go. In Tests the stakes are higher and the chances are fewer.''

Key's next 'chance' has clearly come sooner than expected - but he is determined to be ready.

''It has been a strange couple of weeks. I have been playing hockey, trying to stay fit, but basically getting right away from cricket,'' he said.

''Now I am suddenly right back in it and I will have to get myself back focused again.''

Key's re-elevation to the Test squad may have taken some by surprise - not least because he began his international career as an opener, but is now being asked to replace a middle-order specialist in Thorpe.

But England's chairman of selectors David Graveney sees no serious problem there.

''Robert Key can bat anywhere in the first six if he is required to do so,'' he insisted.

The over-riding consideration appears to have been the importance of standing by a player with recent international experience.

''We wanted to show continuity,'' said Graveney. ''He played a couple of Test matches in the summer. He did okay, and we wanted to stick with him.''

Asked whether Ramprakash was considered - particularly in view of his successful record against Australia - Graveney gave no indication that the Surrey batsman was central to discussions.

''That record is four years ago, and we have decided to go with Robert Key,'' he said.

28 Sep, 2002