The Worcestershire batsman was flown out two weeks ago as cover for Michael Atherton, who was also troubled with back problems, and remained on the tour when Thorpe was ruled out of the second Test.

Meanwhile as the Australian press has a field day with England's latest misfortunes, Shane Warne has said he will not turn out for his state side Victoria against the tourists in Melbourne this weekend.

'Wait and see'

Tour manager Graham Gooch has discussed Hick's future with selector Mike Gatting, captain Alec Stewart and coach David Lloyd and decided he should stay Down Under until the end of the series.

Gooch said: "We are going to hold onto Graeme Hick for the duration.

Graham Gooch: "Hick was very positive"

"At the moment there is a bit of uncertainty about the back conditions of one or two of the players and we thought it sensible to keep hold of him.

"We are keeping Graeme out here as a precaution because we don't know how Thorpey will shape up. If he continues to be unfit then we will have to sit down and talk again."

Gooch said Thorpe was responding well after being treated by a specialist.

Hick got 68 in the second innings on Monday and if Thorpe recovers in time for the third Test at Adelaide on 11 December the selectors will be presented with an enviable selection problem.

Gooch said: "Graeme played very positively and took the attack to the Australians which in that position was probably the right way to play.

"It was a big task to come into a Test on probably the most lively wicket in Australia having not played a game since Bangladesh and he did pretty well."

Rabbits on Aussie menu

Meanwhile England have been lampooned as "rabbits" in the Australian press.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph featured a back page graphic showing Atherton, Stewart and John Crawley with rabbit's heads and ears.

Under the headline Rabbit Stew, the paper claims "Australian bowlers feast on England's bunnies".

The Telegraph said that most of the England batsmen were "so psychologically shattered by Australia's Ashes dominance yesterday they could not look their tormentors in the eye."

The paper said that most England players snubbed an invitation for a drink in the Aussie dressing room although Atherton, Stewart, Hick and Mark Ramprakash did turn up.

Warne is content to wait for the real battle

There is some respite, with the news that one of their "tormentors" is not playing England this weekend.

Shane Warne has ruled out making a comeback from a shoulder injury when Victoria tackle England this weekend.

But the leg spinner's absence is only temporary.

He simply has no intention of risking his recovering shoulder in the four-day game, starting in Melbourne on Saturday.

"There's nothing to be gained by playing against the Poms when I'm still only half fit," said Warne.

"Why should I let the Poms have a go at me when I am honestly nothing like 100% spot on with my bowling?"