Thorpe signs for New South Wales

On the eve of England's first Test against Bangladesh, Graham Thorpe has sprung a major surprise - and given further evidence of his impending retirement from international cricket - by signing a contract to play for New South Wales in the coming Australian season.

"At this stage of my career, it makes sense to start planning for the future and this is an excellent opportunity for me to develop my career in a new environment," said Thorpe in a statement. "I will be using the time to enhance my coaching qualifications and looking to contribute as much as I can to their cricket on-and-off the field."

It is quite common for Australian cricketers to come over to England in the final years of their career, but it is virtually unheard of for English players to go in the other direction, and it is further evidence of the high regard in which Thorpe, 35, is held Down Under. In 16 matches against Australia, Thorpe averages 45.74 with three centuries, but for various personal and fitness reasons he has played in just one of England's last 14 encounters.

Thorpe will be available from January 2006 until the end of the Australian domestic season in March, in which time he will be playing for a Sydney Grade club side, assist the NSW coaching set-up and be available to play for NSW if required. In theory, it means he will still be available for England's tour of Pakistan in November and December, although it would rule him out of the trip to India in the new year.

But, by ruling himself out of one tour, Thorpe has almost certainly ruled himself out of both, if the precedent set in 2001-02 still stands. On that occasion, Darren Gough and Alec Stewart opted to miss the pre-Christmas India leg, but found themselves on the sidelines for the New Zealand tour as well, as Fletcher stamped his authority on the selection process.

Retirement is far from Thorpe's thoughts for the time being, however, as a busy summer of international cricket gets underway at Lord's tomorrow. "I informed Duncan Fletcher and David Graveney of my plans yesterday and have also assured them that as far as this summer is concerned, I will be giving all my attention to the forthcoming npower Test Series against Bangladesh and Australia."