Key named as replacement for Thorpe

Kent batsman, Robert Key, has been named as batting replacement for Graham Thorpe for England's Ashes tour of Australia this winter.

David Graveney, chairman of selectors, said, "The selectors considered various options but we wanted to maintain continuity in terms of selection. Robert played two Tests this summer, one at Trent Bridge and one at Headingley, which was a difficult wicket, and he showed a lot of promise.

"Michael Vaughan began his international career in the middle order and we have no problem with considering Robert for any batting position either."

Robert Key said, "I am thrilled. To tour Australia is something I have wanted to do ever since I was a kid. I had planned for a winter off, taking it easy at home and playing some hockey before Christmas and then going to Perth and working on my game in the New Year so this has come as a big surprise.

"I was pleased with my summer. My plan was to make the Test team and I achieved that. I felt in good shape in the Tests and I got a start in each one but did not make the most of it after doing the hard work. I now need to establish myself in the team.

"I have spent quite a lot of time in Australia. It's a great place to play cricket and the wickets are probably the best batting wickets in the world. I'm looking forward to it."

England One-Day specialist players named for VB Series in Australia 2002-3

The England and Wales Cricket Board today named seven specialist one-day players who will form part of the squad for the triangular VB Series - between Australia, England and Sri Lanka - in Australia this winter.

The remainder of the 16-man squad for the competition will be made up of players from the Test Match squad, which will already be in Australia competing for the Ashes. The full one-day squad will be named nearer the start of the series, which begins on Friday, 13th December.

Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said: "There is no urgency to select the full 16-man one-day squad at this stage and, by not doing so, we are keeping our options open to be able to assess the form and fitness of the Test match players on tour.

"But we needed to pick these seven specialist players now in order for them to plan their winters and prepare for the tour. Clearly there have been recent injury concerns over Craig White and Paul Collingwood, and all players' fitness will be monitored nearer the time as normal."

England one-day specialist players for VB Series:

Ian Blackwell         Somerset          10.06.78
Paul Collingwood      Durham            26.05.76
Ronnie Irani          Essex             26.10.71
Nick Knight           Warwickshire      28.11.69
Owais Shah            Middlesex         22.10.78
Jeremy Snape          Gloucestershire   27.04.73
Craig White           Yorkshire         16.12.76