LONDON, Sept 10: England gambled on senior batsman Graham Thorpe and strike bowler Darren Gough as the pair were included in the Ashes squad Tuesday.

They will set off for Australia in October for the five-Test tour as part of a 16-man squad which will include five strike bowlers backed up by all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

The left-handed Thorpe, badly affected by the acrimonious break-up of his marriage, took a total break from cricket at the end of July.

He has not played since and has also retired from the One-day Internationals.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney told a media conference at Lord’s: “His private life has received a lot of attention. He was very positive about getting back on the international stage.

“We looked at the risk before selecting him. His desire to play international cricket is as strong as ever, he remains one of our best batsmen.”

Gough had not played a Test for more than a year following a recurrent knee injury. He featured in England’s one-day series against India and Sri Lanka in July before breaking down again.

Both, however, are regarded as key players as England attempt to overturn a run of seven successive Ashes series defeats to Australia.

Gough will have to prove his fitness before the tour. Both he and Thorpe clearly remain on trial, since neither was awarded a new 12-month contract.

Alex Tudor — who will go to Australia with an academy squad for developing players — and all-rounders Dominic Cork and Craig White, who all featured in the English summer, missed out.

Graveney added: “We have a realistic chance of beating Australia. We have had a habit of starting series slowly. We must start running, not stumbling.”

England captain Nasser Hussain told BBC radio: “I honestly think if we can get our fast bowling attack feeling well and we can take our catches we have a really good chance against Australia.

“If we go at them with a positive attitude I think we have a chance of beating them.”

Gough is the side’s leading wicket-taker with 228 Test victims while Thorpe averages almost 42 per innings, putting him in the world-class bracket. They have played 133 Tests between them.

Thorpe, who has not finished a string of England tours because of personal problems or injuries, made himself available for the Ashes after England gave him a one-week deadline to make up his mind last month.

“Australia will view it as a weaker side with Graham Thorpe not there,” Hussain had said.

England last won an Ashes series in 1986-87. Since then, Australia have won 24 Ashes Tests to England’s six. Most of England’s wins have come with the series already decided.

England’s pace bowlers include Simon Jones and Steve Harmison, who both made an impression after making their debuts in the just-concluded Test series against India.

“We need to hit them with pace, not English seamers,” Graveney said.

“Jones and Harmison are both terrific prospects who should find the conditions in Australia to their liking and their inclusion will create genuine competition for places.”

James Foster, who replaced Alec Stewart as England’s wicket-keeper last year but who has since been usurped himself after breaking an arm and a thumb during the English season, was selected as the second gloveman behind Stewart.

The 30-year-old John Crawley, once regarded by Australians as England’s best batsman and who was recalled by England in May against Sri Lanka after three years in exile, retained his place.

The spin department comprises left-armer Ashley Giles and 22-year-old Richard Dawson, who played his three Tests in India at the end of 2001.

Several of England’s players will have to prove their fitness before the tour, including Gough, Jones and Flintoff following a groin operation and batsman Michael Vaughan after knee surgery. Vaughan averaged over 100 in the series against India.

Squad: Nasser Hussain (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, John Crawley, Alec Stewart, James Foster, Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, Ashley Giles, Richard Dawson.

ITINERARY