Thorpe averages over 45 against Australia

"The selectors talked at length - both with Graham and amongst ourselves - about this winter's programme and how he will cope with being away from home for a long period.

"What impressed us all was Graham's determination to get back into the Test arena," Graveney commented.

There are, however, a number of players in the squad who will have to prove their fitness before making the trip.

The most serious is paceman Darren Gough, who is recuperating from three knee operations which have kept him out of action for most of the summer.

Gough, the spearhead of England's attack, has not played Test cricket since the 2001 home series against Australia but is desperate to take them on again.

Gough has 228 Test wickets to his credit

Jones (rib injury), Michael Vaughan (knee) and Andrew Flintoff (hernia) are other concerns.

Essex wicket-keeper James Foster has been named as Alec Stewart's understudy despite playing only a handful of county games this season.

There is also a place for Yorkshire off-spinner Richard Dawson, who toured India last winter.

Dawson could well make an appearance in the fifth Test at Sydney, which traditionally offers assistance to slow bowlers.

Dominic Cork and Alex Tudor have both been overlooked despite playing in the final Test against India at The Oval, which ended in a draw on Monday.

Graveney said they had concerns about Tudor's "strength and stamina" and he will instead make a second trip to the Academy.

England's Ashes squad:
Nasser Hussain (capt), Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, John Crawley, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Alec Stewart, James Foster, Ashley Giles, Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, Richard Dawson.