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| February 26, 2003 | Wednesday | Zul Hijjah 24, 1423 |
Hussain insists Thorpe must prove himself
DURBAN, Feb 25: Left-handed batsman Graham Thorpe will have to prove himself in English county cricket if he is to fight his way back into England’s one-day team, captain Nasser Hussain said on Tuesday.
“We all know he is a class act but he may well find it difficult to get back in the side as other players have kicked on,” Hussain said in Durban, where England are preparing for their World Cup Group ‘A’ match against India on Thursday.
Thorpe said earlier in the day he may reconsider his decision to retire from One-day International cricket, having announced last year he would not play for England’s side again.
He also withdrew from the recent Ashes tour of Australia following the collapse of his marriage.
“It’s good news for English cricket that Graham has made himself available again,” added Hussain.
“What he has got to do is to go out and score runs for Surrey to put himself back in the shake-up.
“Graham knows he has got to do that but he has got a fantastic record for England and no one will ever take that away from him.
“The message to Graham is clear — go out and score runs for Surrey and then see what happens.”
Thorpe remains one of England’s leading batsmen and his absence has left a hole in the middle order. His return would strengthen the team for their home Test series against Zimbabwe and South Africa later this year.
He said in his column in the Daily Mail on Tuesday: “I’m really up for my cricket. I’m confident that I can play my best and then it’s up to others to decide whether I should play for England.
“I have missed it this winter and am keen to play all the cricket I can this summer — including One-day Internationals and Tests.
“I want to play all that I can and that means I would love to be in the squad.”
The 33-year-old Thorpe was regarded as one of England’s best one-day batsmen, averaging over 37 in 82 limited-overs internationals.
His comments about reconsidering his retirement come just three days after England’s crushing upset victory over Pakistan at the World Cup in South Africa, their third straight win of the tournament.—Reuters
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