Graham Thorpe reportedly involved in Boxing Day fracas

Graham Thorpe is at the centre of a police investigation after a row with his ex-wife Nicola and her new partner, at a house in Epsom, Surrey. Thorpe, who returned from England's winter tour of Sri Lanka on Tuesday morning, was involved in a high-profile separation from his wife last year, and has only recently returned to international cricket.

"Surrey Police were called to a domestic dispute at a house in Epsom at about lunchtime on December 26," said a police spokeswoman. They added that nobody had been arrested, but an allegation of common assault was made and was being investigated.

In 2002, the couple issued a joint statement appealing for privacy, following weeks of media speculation, asking that they should be allowed to "move on" with their lives. Thorpe, who was visibly affected by his off-field problems, pulled out of England's tour of Australia, claiming he was finding it "difficult to consistently concentrate on cricket".