Graveney reassures Thorpe

Thorpe sat out the winter tour to Africa

England chairman of selectors David Graveney has said Graham Thorpe's omission from the opening Test squad was for cricketing reasons alone.

The Surrey left-hander has faced accusations that he is a disruptive influence on the squad but Graveney said poor form was the only reason behind his non-selection.

Former England coach David Lloyd claims in his new autobiography that Thorpe was "surly" and had "a rebellious streak".

I thought we got on pretty well and he never said anything like this to my face - it seems to me I am being made a fall-guy for him to make a few quid out of this book

Thorpe on Lloyd

Graveney says he contacted Thorpe at home as soon as he heard the allegations.

The chairman insists that Thorpe was left out of the 13-man squad to face Zimbabwe on Thursday at Lord's because of his failure to score runs for Surrey.

"I felt it was important to tell Graham that cricket has been the only consideration in leaving him out, but that he was still part of our plans," said Graveney.

Graveney moved quickly to reassure the batsman

"He has admitted himself that by taking the winter off he has put himself down the pecking order. He has to scrap for his place like everyone else and he has not been in the best of form for Surrey this season."

The call reassured Thorpe, who claims he has been cast in the role of the "fall-guy" in an attempt to foster publicity and increase sales of the book,

"I appreciated David Graveney calling," said the player.

"I know I'm not playing that well at the moment and I have no qualms about being left out, but if I thought there were other reasons apart from cricket ones that I'd been left out I'd be upset."

He has to scrap for his place like everyone else and he has not been in the best of form for Surrey this season

David Graveney

Thorpe is angry at Lloyd, who he says has used him to sell copies of the book.

"To be honest I am a little bit disappointed with him for making me out to be some sort of bad person.

"I thought we got on pretty well and he never said anything like this to my face - it seems to me I am being made a fall-guy for him to make a few quid out of this book.

"I don't think 99% of the people I have played with have perceived me as being difficult to get on with."

Lloyd has been accused of using Thorpe as the "fall-guy"

Regardlesss of the reasons for his non-selection, Thorpe would have been unavailable anyway.

He was planning to visit a specialist on Tuesday after cracking his left thumb in the Oval nets on Sunday.

The opening Test begins on Thursday, the first home game in charge for Lloyd's successor Duncan Fletcher.

The new squad, most of whom are on improved international contracts this season, began their practice sessions a day early to foster team spirit.

Their only minor injury doubt is leg-spinner Chris Schofield, who suffered a stomach upset and was restricted to a light net work-out.