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Thorpe in England team for Bangladesh, SL

September 10, 2003 17:58 IST

Graham Thorpe has been rewarded for his century in the final Test against South Africa with a place in the England squad for their tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka starting on October 8.

The 34-year-old left-hander pulled out of the tour to Australia last year because of personal problems and was welcomed back only after four Tests against South Africa.

His century helped England win the fifth Test by nine wickets, a result which squared the series 2-2.

The 15-strong Test party, containing four uncapped players, includes all-rounders Paul Collingwood, who has been a regular in the one-day team, and Rikki Clarke.

Wicketkeeper Chris Read has been lined up as the first choice replacement for Alec Stewart who has retired.

There was no place, though, for experienced spinner Robert Croft who was expected to partner Ashley Giles. Instead the selectors have plumped for the relatively untried Gareth Batty.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said consideration would be given to drafting in a third spinner after the two Bangladesh Tests and before the three in Sri Lanka.

Paceman James Kirtley, who made an impressive debut for England during their series with South Africa, has failed to win a place in the Test party but is included in the 15-strong one-day squad.

Experienced fast bowler Darren Gough was omitted from the 15-man one-day squad but chairman of selectors David Graveney said that did not signal the end of the Yorkshireman's international career.

Gough retired from Test cricket during the South Africa series.

Test squad: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Read, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Gareth Batty, Rikki Clarke, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Matthew Hoggard.

One-day squad: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Vikram Solanki, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Read, Rikki Clarke, Ashley Giles, Gareth Batty, James Kirtley, Anthony McGrath, Andrew Strauss, Richard Johnson, James Anderson, Ian Blackwell.


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