LONDON, July 24: England chairman of selectors David Graveney has denied that Graham Thorpe retired early from Test cricket because he had been told he was no longer wanted.

Graveney, responding to comments by the 35-year-old Thorpe in The Mail on Sunday,, told reporters at Lord’s that he had told the left-hander he would remain in the frame for the rest of the Ashes.

He also denied that England had decided to call up a younger player ahead of Thorpe if a replacement batsman was needed during the series.

“When I told him that he wasn’t in the team (for the first Test), which was one of the most difficult phone calls I have had to make, I suggested that, if at all possible, we would keep the door open for him until the end of the summer,” Graveney said.

He added he had heard suggestions that Thorpe, who was due to retire at the end of the series, was considering quitting early after being replaced by Kevin Pietersen for the first Test at Lord’s but stressed: “We didn’t discuss who was next in line (for selection).”

Thorpe, who announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, told The Mail on Sunday that he had been given the impression that he would not be called up again, whatever happened.

“In the end, it was as much what Graveney didn’t say as what he did that settled it for me,” he said of his decision to bring forward his retirement.

“He didn’t say, ‘You’re next in line, so please continue to make yourself available’. And he didn’t say, ‘It’s all over’, but, as a player, you get vibes about what the selectors are thinking.”

Graveney said he was disappointed with Thorpe’s comments and said he would speak to the player about the matter, saying he did not want the issue to sour their relationship.

Thorpe, who averaged 44.66 in 100 Tests, had been hoping to end his career by playing in the Ashes but England opted instead for the uncapped Pietersen batting at five, with Ian Bell, capped three times, at four.

Thorpe had already announced he would accept a contract to coach in New South Wales, Australia at the end of the English season.

He caused surprise with the timing of his announcement of his retirement, on the second day of the first Test.—Reuters