Timeline: Thorpe's troubled year

Graham Thorpe has endured a tough 15 months between his 11th Test century and his 12th, against South Africa at The Oval. BBC Sport looks back.

1 June 2002

Report: Thorpe completes victory

Thorpe's 11th Test century plays a major part in securing victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.

He appears to have put behind him the marital problems that forced him to fly home early from England's winter tour of India.

13 July 2002
Thorpe plays just three matches in the one-day series against Sri Lanka and India and, on the day of the final, announces his retirement from one-day international cricket.

"In terms of keeping my body fit it's becoming harder to do, playing both Tests and one-day internationals," he explains.

29 July 2002
After scoring four and one in the first Test against India at Lord's, Thorpe decides to take an immediate break from all cricket.

He says: "I am feeling very worn-down and burnt out by events off-the-field which have become a major distraction."

10 September 2002

A distracted Thorpe took a complete break from cricket

Thorpe is named in a 16-man touring party to contest the Ashes in Australia despite missing the last three Tests of the summer.

He makes a return to county cricket the next day and scores 19 for Surrey.

24 September 2002
Thorpe pulls out of the Ashes tour, describing the move as "the hardest decision of my cricket career."

Read more: Thorpe makes U-turn

"I feel it is better to be honest with the England cricket team, the management, and myself now, rather than during the Ashes tour," he explains.

25 February 2003
Thorpe goes back on his decision to retire from one-day cricket, saying: "I have missed it this winter and am keen to play all the cricket I can this summer - including one-day internationals and Tests."

30 May 2003
Thorpe states his case for a recall with a majestic 156 for Surrey against Championship rivals Sussex, his second century in succession.

1 July 2003
One-day skipper Michael Vaughan describes Thorpe as the "best batsman in England".

"If he is settled and has made it clear he would be available for [the World Cup in] 2007 - although I am not a selector - I am sure he would have to come into consideration," he says.

12 July 2003
Ahead of the Test series against South Africa, Thorpe tells England's selectors he will be available if required for the winter tours to Bangaldesh, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

However, new Test captain Vaughan is reportedly reluctant to lead a side containing three ageing batsmen in Thorpe, Hussain and Alec Stewart.

A minor back injury also counts against him, cutting down the number of big innings at county level.

31 August 2003

Thorpe displays his delight at his return

With Nasser Hussain nursing a broken toe, Thorpe is named in the England squad for the final Test of the summer against South Africa.

6 September 2003
Thorpe completes his 12th Test century - his first at his home ground - in style, and punches the air with delight.

10 September 2003
Thorpe still faces an anxious wait to see whether he will remain in the winter tour parties.