Fletcher hints that Thorpe's exile could be over

Graham Thorpe may resume his Test career at Edgbaston next week, after Duncan Fletcher, England's coach, admitted that his name was back in the frame after months of self-imposed exile from international cricket.

Exactly a year will have passed since Thorpe's most recent Test appearance, against India at Lord's last summer, and for much of that time he has been in the throes of an acrimonious divorce. He retired from one-day cricket ahead of the World Cup - a decision he has since reversed - and also withdrew from the Ashes tour, admitting that he was not mentally prepared for such an arduous tour, and that his children had to take priority at such a difficult time.

Fletcher, however, has spoken to Thorpe at length in recent weeks, and appears to have accepted that his troubles are now behind him. "I have spoken to Graham Thorpe," he said. "We went through his mental state and he sounded convincing but we have to take that on board as selectors.

"Graham is a quality player. Some of his decisions not to tour have been difficult personal ones and, as selectors, we should understand these concerns. We will weigh it all up this week. We will have to look at how the side has performed in the Test and one-day arena in the past year."

Fletcher's findings, despite a hat-trick of trophies in the past month, will nonetheless point to a weakness in England's middle-order, where the likes of Robert Key and Jim Troughton have failed to fill the void. At 34, many would argue that Thorpe's best days are behind him, but as a batsman of indisputable pedigree, his renewed hunger ought to be enough to warrant another chance.