Is Thorpe the right choice?

Graham Thorpe's recall to the England squad has dominated today's cricket pages in the national newspapers, which have mixed opinions about whether his reinclusion for the fifth Test at The Oval is well overdue or a backward step in England's progress in their started aim of becoming the best team in the world by 2007.

Christopher Martin-Jenkins in The Times argued that whether Thorpe is in the squad on merit or because of Nasser Hussain's toe injury does not matter, but that it was "a decision that had to be made in the circumstances". Although CMJ admitted it was a controversial choice because some have not forgiven him for pulling out of the Ashes tour last winter at the last minute, he is certainly worth his place in the team. "If he is not the best batsman in England any longer, Thorpe is probably still one of the top five," he said. "Immediately he will become the wicket that, after Vaughan's, South Africa will target with the greatest intensity."

Derek Pringle in the Daily Telegraph agreed. "Unless 13 months away from Test cricket have diminished him, Thorpe, 34, is arguably still England's best allround batsman." However, Pringle's former England team-mate, Angus Fraser, was not so sure: Writing in The Independent, Fraser pointed out that the selectors have increased the chances of levelling the series, but that they have also erred on the side of caution, as "such a choice is sure to have ramifications further down the line".

And these ramifications are likely to become apparent when the winter squads are announced. If Thorpe, as seems likely, is picked, Fraser argued that Thorpe's personality - not his ability - could damage team spirit. "Since scoring a hundred on his Test debut in 1993, Thorpe has remained his own man, who prepares for matches in the manner that suits him. He has never been a troublesome player but has always been reluctant to conform to the little things - such as dress codes and attending official functions - that make a team a team," Fraser said. And this, he added, would be an unwanted and extra burden on the young and inexperienced captain Michael Vaughan. Fraser concluded, "By looking for a short-term fix, the selectors have delayed the chance of achieving their long-term goal."

Mike Selvey in The Guardian wrote that even though there is no substitute for experience when the chips are down, and that Thorpe "again may yet make himself indispensable", he may not find coming back to Test cricket a doddle. "A strong player he may still be but this is an outsider returning now and he may not find it easy," as he is "a man whom the selectors had no real desire to include".

John Etheridge in The Sun was adamant that Thorpe will be in the touring squads this winter, and that "he and Nasser Hussain will be England's batting engine-room". But Mike Walters in The Mirror was not so buoyant about Thorpe's comeback. He wrote: "The selectors have effectively suspended any youth policy new skipper Michael Vaughan was looking to establish as the signature of his regime." He continued: "Even after 40-year-old Alec Stewart's retirement next week, England are surely committed to touring Bangladesh and Sri Lanka before Christmas with old sweats Nasser Hussain and Thorpe in the ranks."