BBC SPORT | Cricket | England | Thorpe set for talks

Graham Thorpe will meet with the England management during the Oval Test this week after revealing that he wants to tour Australia this winter.

After the first Test against India in July, left-handed batsman Thorpe said he was taking a break from cricket to spend more time with his children.

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Since then he has not played a competitive game either for England or his county Surrey.

But he is about to represent Surrey once again to show that he is mentally able to play professional cricket at the highest level again.

Thorpe's Test record v Australia

Tests: 16

Runs: 1,235

Highest score: 138 (Edgbaston, 1997)

Average: 45.74

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said on Sunday that he intends to invite Thorpe to this week's final Test against India and speak to him personally.

"Graham has spoken to Duncan [Fletcher, the coach] already and I'm going to ask him to come down to the Oval and talk to myself and [fellow selector] Geoff Miller," explained Graveney.

"We have made provisions in our Ashes squad both with Graham and without him but it will be good to speak to him face to face.

"I understand that things have improved in Graham's life which is good to hear because it cannot have been easy going through what he has been through in the last year."

Thorpe had been quoted in a Sunday newspaper as saying: "I spoke to Duncan and told him I want to be considered for Australia.

Graham Thorpe leaves the field after being dismissed for one
Thorpe has not played since the end of July

"Duncan took on board the reasons for my decision and, although he made no commitment to me, it was important for me to let him know where I stand.

"I know Duncan and Nasser [Hussain, the captain] will be concerned that the risk in taking me might be too great.

"But all I can do is try to assure them of my focus and commitment.

"There would be no point in making myself available if I wasn't utterly convinced that I would be able to cope with the situation.

"I will also make myself available for Surrey for the final three weeks of the season.

"It's important for me to demonstrate that my commitment is real. I'm ready,"