Should he be included in the Ashes party?

Thorpe said he was taking a break from cricket to spend more time with his children after the first Test against India in July, and he has not played a competitive game since.

But the 33-year-old left hander has made himself available for Surrey's final three games of the season in a bid to show that he is still mentally able to play cricket at the highest level.

And England's chairman of selectors David Graveney is to invite him to this week's final Test against India and speak to him personally about his future.

Should Thorpe be considered for winter tour?

Thorpe has proven class - and that's essential against Australia in Australia. He has been our only world-class performer in recent times.
Doug Folds, England

Thorpe has never knowingly let England down, and has given his all on numerous occasions. If he says he's ready, he deserves the credit of being believed. The selectors will talk to him and verify for themselves his state of mind. If they think he is up for it, they can't not take him.
Graham O'Reilly, France

Thorpe has consistently proven himself to be one of our finest batsmen. There can be no doubt, if he is in the right frame of mind, he has to be back playing for England.
Guy Riddell, England

I'd dearly love to see a completely mentally and physically focused Thorpe in Australia. But if there's any hint of this not being the case, regardless of his obvious pedigree, he should be excluded from the touring squad for his and the team's benefit.
Alexis Mahoney, South Wales

I would want Thorpe in the batting line up, as his record against the Australians is better than most English batsmen in recent times. Whilst he is certainly not at his best, I don't think there are any other batsmen on the county circuit who automatically spring to mind as a replacement for him. He has to be England's classiest batsman bar Vaughan. I think regardless of his current form his inclusion in the batting line up is a necessity!
Mehul, England

If available, Thorpe must go to Australia. His experience on the tour will be invaluable and if not on form, he need not be selected in the team after all. He is a class batsman.
Andy Thomas, England

With an average of 45 against Australia, Graham Thorpe is definitely the man for the tour. Concerning his mental health, if he says he is willing to go then I think the England selectors should be happy with his decision, because I believe Thorpe would never risk taking a chance if he wasn't ready, he would not want to jeopardise the team.

He has helped England win many matches and bailed them out of some hairy moments. Regarding his poor form recently, critics also said the same about Tendulkar. Graham Thorpe is a must for the Ashes tour.
Azar, England

Take him....but only if a nanny and his kids are included in the package. Otherwise the risk is too high.
Richard Hill, England

Thorpe was a long way from his best earlier this year but, as with many sportsmen, a break can do them the world of good. Let's hope for our sake he returns mentally and physically sharper and makes full use of the time left (although limited) to regain form and justify his selection. It would be a great loss to the England team should he be overlooked as we know he's one of few batsman who can take the fight to the Aussies.
Ian Mundy, Uk

I am really tired of the special treatment given to Thorpe. English cricket cannot continue to live in the past. Thorpe is in a very vulnerable state. He has bailed out to often. He shouldn't go to Australia. Please stop wrapping him in cotton wool.
Joan Mason, England

His record speaks for itself. It would be folly to ignore his achievements. Besides, he has been on two Ashes tours before and his experience will prove invaluable.
Omar Mirza, UK

Thorpe should definitely go to Australia. Even if he is not completely focused on cricket, he will be far more valuable to the squad than another rookie batsman or a recalled Hick or Ramprakash.

Thorpe has the quality to score heavily against the Aussies and has an excellent record against them. He has come back once before to smash centuries, and I'm sure he'll do it again.
John Ngo, UK

Graham Thorpe has consistently proved himself to be one of England's more reliable batsmen, and if he has put his troubles behind him, taking him on the Ashes tour could only be a positive move.
Andrew Vasey, England

He has to be taken at his word, but should be told this is his last chance. He's still our best batsman and we can't afford to be without him if we wish to compete with the Aussies.
Ross Neilson, England

If he shows any kind of form for Surrey in the next few weeks (as a sign that he is mentally "back in the groove") then he must go. He is our most classy batsman, and even if he has not had the recent practice he has vast experience, including Ashes tours.

What do England have to lose by taking him? Nothing! If he isn't playing well they are not forced to select him for the Tests, but having him there is a must.
Stephen Penna, UK

Thorpe is the only world-class player in the English line up and if he is mentally ready for the Aussies, he is an automatic choice for the final eleven.
Amir M Siddiqui, USA

Graham Thorpe must go to Australia this winter. It is a well documented fact that Thorpe is the one batsman the Aussies have a measure of respect for.

For such a crucial tour we can't afford to have anyone other than the best players available. A two month break will not harm Thorpe, quite the opposite in fact.
Nick Andrews, UK

I've always been a big fan of Thorpe, and I hope he can regain his form in the three county games. In addition, he is one of the very few English batsmen the Australians have any respect for.

I think, assuming he goes well for Surrey, that he should be in the squad and play at least a couple of times on the tour before the series starts. His place in the actual team should obviously be conditional on performance.
Daniel, England

I would take Thorpe. England's batting line up is probably the strongest it has been for some time so there is less risk associated with picking him providing England stay free of injuries.
Tim, UK

Even though Thorpe says he is mentally fit to go to Australia, Hussain and Fletcher must make the final call. After all, it was only this summer that Thorpe was quitting limited overs internationals, having presumably told the selectors a couple of weeks earlier that he was available for the whole series.

I would love to see him fit and fully effective, but if he doesn't go, let's see a replacement chosen with talent and technique in mind, not one of these media selections like Key and Bell.
Roy Pinney, England

Not including him in any squad will be a very foolish move.
Philip Thomas, India

I don't think taking Thorpe on the Ashes tour is a good idea as he is unlikely to be completely mentally fit, and is certainly lacking in recent first class and Test experience. The Aussies already hold all the psychological advantages, so let's not give them another.
Andy, UK

It is a long time since Thorpe justified his selection. Whatever he says now, it is certain that he has not yet learnt to cope with severe emotional stress. The Australians are expert at exposing such weakness and I am sure that Thorpe would crack after a few jibes about his family circumstances.

The appropriate response is to channel the anger into very aggressive batting. Unfortunately, there has never been any indication that Thorpe has that sort of self-discipline. He should not go to Australia; it would be unfair to him and to his team mates.
Tom, England

Since last year's Ashes, Trescothick, Vaughan, Hussain, Stewart and Thorpe have all averaged around 50 and Butcher 45 with the bat. England's batting has looked stronger, but I still feel there is a place for Thorpe, especially when facing Australian bowling.

Don't forget he scored his highest Test score earlier this year (200 not out) and scored a hundred against Sri Lanka. I'd be much happier seeing Graham Thorpe at number five than a John Crawley, who still looks suspect against fast bowling. Australia have a canny knack of picking out batsmen's frailties, and they will surely succeed again this winter unless England pick their best players.
Charlie, UK

Thorpey should be included as he is a player that could offer a calming influence to the younger, inexperienced players. He is by far one of England's most consistent middle order batsmen and he could easily pose a threat to some of the Aussie bowlers. Having a lefty in the team offers variation.
Pete, Wales

Even a fragile Thorpe appears better than the rest. In his last seven innings he has scored the fourth quickest double hundred of all time, plus another hundred against Sri Lanka. If he wants to go, he must go.
Bill Smith, UK

We can only accept Thorpe's decision to make himself available for selection as a sign that he feels ready to concentrate on what will undoubtedly be a gruelling Ashes tour.

It would be unfair to question his ability to come to a realistic appraisal of his own mental readiness. If he is in form, then he must be included in England's plans.
Jason, UK

Take Thorpe. He's the only recognised and feared world-class batsman in our line-up. Remember when we dropped Gower too early? Let's not let the same thing happen with Thorpe.
Greg Kay, UK

Thorpe has been England's best batsman for several years but he looked a shadow of his former self in the Test matches earlier this year. An in-form Thorpe is a must for the Ashes Tour, but can the England management be certain that his mindset will be right? Personally, I would see the inclusion of Thorpe in the touring party as a risk.
Matt, Wales