(LONDON) Captain Nasser Hussain has warned Graham Thorpe that he will need to score a lot of runs to win back his place in the England team.

He believes that Thorpe, who pulled out of the party for this winter's Ashes tour because of family problems after originally saying he was available to go, can do that.

But he is backing Kent's Robert Key, called up to replace Thorpe to show his worth Down Under and he reinforced the selectors' decision to look to the future after preferring two-cap Key to the much-tried experience of Mark Ramprakash.

''Graham will be missed - I'm not hiding from that - but the lad replacing him is a fine player,'' said Hussain.

''All four selectors wanted Robert Key on the plane to Australia. He played in the summer - it isn't a selection committee that looks backwards.

''Other players have come in - Flintoff, Trescothick and Vaughan – and taken their opportunities.

''There is no point playing Robert in two Tests and then going back. You have to move forward. If he was good enough to be in our team this summer then he's good enough now.''

The England captain readily admits that the loss of Thorpe is a blow and said: ''I would hope at some stage he will be back playing for England.

''He has always been the sort of player who can turn on a switch and get runs as long as he is mentally right.

''The biggest problem will be getting himself right both in cricket terms and all the peripheral things that go with cricket, like sitting in hotel rooms and thinking about your family back home.''

But once the current problems are resolved Hussain is confident Thorpe can return, although first he will have to prove himself all over again in batting's most important commodity - runs.

''England cannot just dismiss one of their best players of the last 10 years but Graham will have to prove to the selectors that he can get runs in international cricket,'' added Hussain.

The breakdown of the marriages of Thorpe and currently-injured fast bowler Darren Gough have highlighted the pressure all-year cricket imposes on relationships.

During the coming months no-one will have to cope with them more than Hussain who flies out on Thursday - a week ahead of the rest of the England party – with his wife Karen and 16-month-old son Jacob to make the final arrangements for the birth of the Hussains' second child, scheduled for November 20, between the 1st and 2nd Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

But the captain is confident he will be able to successfully combine the responsibilities of captaincy and fatherhood and he does not believe there is a lot more the England management can do to take the pressure off individuals.

Wives and families are now flown out to join players on tour and Hussain said: ''The present regime is helping as much as it can.

''We have a coach and captain who understand there is no reason why you shouldn't play your best cricket just because you have your family around. In many ways it is the other way round.

''But in many ways it will always be a problem. Wives and families do have other jobs and commitments and sometimes players will have to consider the two - a great career as an international cricketer and their family lives.

''Everyone's situation is different and sometimes you have to choose between how many pound signs you want against what you want to do personally,'' he said.

Hussain, who was in London for the launch of the England party's range of off-field clothing, intends to meet all his responsibilities as England captain and father.

And, despite concerns over the fitness of Gough, who has now revealed he expects to miss the first two Tests as he continues to recover from knee surgery, Hussain sees no reason why England should not return home victorious.

''We knew Darren wouldn't be getting off the plane straight into 100% cricket because he needs rehab,'' said the skipper.

''Obviously it's disappointing to hear what he said about the first two Tests but maybe he's being a bit pessimistic because of all the injuries he's had. I'd rather wait and see how he goes out there.''

Pessimism, Hussain insists, is the one thing that doesn't come into his thinking.

''For us to beat Australia a few things have to go right off the field but there is no reason why that shouldn't change.

''If key areas and key battles are won - and the 1st Test is a very important area - there's no reason why not and I hope everyone in my squad will feel like that.

''It's going to be a huge tour for me personally. I'm going to be fully focused.''

9 Oct, 2002