SYDNEY, May 26: England Test batsman Graham Thorpe was no certainty to play for Australian Sheffield Shield cricket champions New South Wales next season, team coach Trevor Bayliss said on Thursday.

Thorpe announced on Wednesday he had agreed to a contract with NSW, but is not scheduled to arrive here until January, meaning he would be available for the tour to Pakistan but out of contention for England’s post-Christmas tour of India.

“It basically just started off with Graham wanting to come out and play some grade (club) cricket and be involved in some coaching and have a look at our set-up, just with a view to his future in the coaching world,” Bayliss said on Thursday.—AFP