Michael Vaughan said batsman Graham Thorpe could be back in the England side for the third Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge.
England’s selectors will be under pressure to make changes after Vaughan’s first match as Test captain ended in a crushing innings and 92 run defeat inside four days at Lords here on Sunday.
The result left England 1-0 down in the five Test series with three to play and they were on the backfoot at Lords almost from the start after being bowled out for 173 in their first innings.
Bringing back Thorpe, a proven world class performer, would appear to strengthen England’s middle order and Vaughan denied reports that he had a personal objection to the Surrey left-hander’s presence in the side.
”If he’s right in his mind and personal life then I am sure the selectors will talk about him. He’s a fantastic player,” said Vaughan.
Thorpe (34), has not played for England in nearly a year following personal problems brought about by the break-up of his marriage.
He was picked for the 2002-03 tour of Australia only to change his mind before the plane left England.
But last month Thorpe, who confirmed he had cancelled his one-day international retirement, insisted he was now ready to resume his England career.
Looking ahead, Vaughan insisted he had no knowledge of reports that fast bowler Darren Gough and former captain Nasser Hussain were about to quit Test cricket.
”If Goughy’s going to retire, he hasn’t told me,” said Vaughan of his Yorkshire team-mate.
He added that Gough (34) had endured a tough return to Test match life following South Africa captain Graeme Smith’s successive double hundreds in the first two matches of the series.
”He’s had two years out of Test cricket [with a knee injury]. He’s come back on a very flat wicket, against a guy in supreme form [Smith].”
England coach Duncan Fletcher said the turmoil caused by Nasser Hussain’s shock resignation as England Test captain, following last week’s drawn series opener at Edgbaston, was no excuse for the team’s overwhelming defeat at Lords.
”You can’t say it had no effect but it doesn’t explain how we gave away so many soft dismissals.”
And former Zimbabwe captain Fletcher said he could not promise any quick cures for England’s ills ahead of Trent Bridge where the third Test starts on August 14.
”I’ve played the game. You can’t say something to the batsman and then he’s Brian Lara; you can’t say something to the bowler and he’s Michael Holding.
”Cricket is a very difficult game. For nine tenths of our season we play on green tops where the ball seams. When you play on flat wickets you have to bowl a different line and length.”
The England squad for the third Test will be announced next weekend. – Sapa-AFP