England wait on Thorpe fitness

England are expected to find out today [Monday] if Graham Thorpe is fit for the Ashes. Thorpe has been struggling with a back injury, although he was back to his fluent best this week, striking 73 for Surrey in their Championship match against Gloucestershire. He is expected to speak to England's chairman of selectors, David Graveney, at the end of that match at Bristol.

If Thorpe announces that he is not fit enough to be considered for the first Test, which starts on July 21 at Lord's, then his batting spot is likely to be filled by Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen has demonstrated that he is a man for the big occasion in the one-day arena at least, with a match-winning 91 already against Australia this year, but he is yet to play a Test, with Thorpe favoured in the Bangladesh series earlier this summer.