BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | Thorpe U-turn no shock to Hollioake



By Scott Heinrich For BBC Sport Online in Cardiff

Graham Thorpe's shock withdrawal from England's Ashes squad came as no surprise to Adam Hollioake.

Thorpe stunned many when he pulled out of the 16-man squad just two weeks after assuring selectors he was ready to put personal difficulties to one side.

A fit Graham Thorpe is the best batsman in the country by a long way

Adam Hollioake

But Hollioake, the left-handed batsman's skipper at Surrey, saw it coming.

"I suspected as much," Hollioake told BBC Sport Online in Cardiff, where he will feature for a Britain XI in the Power Cricket series at Millenium Stadium.

International stars to play indoors

"I had spoken to Graham a lot over the last couple of weeks and I thought he would make that decision.

"I'm glad he made the decision he did because there's only one person who knows what is right for both him and the team."

Thorpe's Surrey team-mate Alex Tudor was left out of the squad and will spend another winter at the National Academy in Adelaide.

Hollioake said he really believed the fast bowler would make the trip.

Alex Tudor
Tudor was a surprise omission from the Ashes squad
"I thought it a bit strange that he would get picked or the last Test of the summer [against India] but not get in the tour squad.

"But there's been plenty of surprises over the years and it's the selectors' prerogative to pull them out of the bag."

And Hollioake cast doubt over thoeries that Tudor missed out because of fitness doubts.

"I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that he struggles for fitness or stamina.

"He's broken down before but he's a young lad.

"I've never captained a fast bowler under the age of 24 who stays fit - that's just life.

"You look at any young paceman around the country - they're not men yet and they break down.

"But from 24 or 25 onwards these guys will stop getting injuries and that's just the way it is."


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