Key to take Thorpe's Ashes spot

Key played two Tests against India as an opener

Kent batsman Robert Key has been chosen to replace Graham Thorpe for England's Ashes tour of Australia.

Key, who played twice against India this summer, was picked ahead of Mark Ramprakash - who was widely tipped to make the trip once Thorpe had pulled out for personal reasons.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney, said: "The selectors considered various options but we wanted to maintain continuity in terms of selection.

Is Key the right choice? Have your say

"Robert played two Tests this summer, one at Trent Bridge and one at Headingley, which was a difficult wicket, and he showed a lot of promise."

We have no problem with considering Robert for any batting position either

David Graveney

Key, who will be used to cover any of the five batting positions on the tour, was understandably thrilled by his selection.

"To tour Australia is something I have wanted to do ever since I was a kid," he said.

"I had planned for a winter off, taking it easy at home and playing some hockey before Christmas and then going to Perth and working on my game in the New Year so this has come as a big surprise.

"Mark Ramprakash seemed to be the name everyone was mentioning, so it was a very nice surprise when I got the call last night.

"I was pleased with my summer. My plan was to make the Test team and I achieved that. I now need to establish myself in the team.

"I felt in good shape in the Tests and I got a start in each one but did not make the most of it after doing the hard work."

Full profile of Robert Key

Key is no stranger to Australia, having spent a winter in Perth in 2000 and travelled as part of the England Academy to Adelaide last year.

"I have spent quite a lot of time there," he said.

"It's a great place to play cricket and the wickets are probably the best batting wickets in the world. I'm looking forward to it."

---

England's Ashes squad:

Nasser Hussain (capt), Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, John Crawley, Robert Key, Andrew Flintoff, Alec Stewart, James Foster, Ashley Giles, Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, Richard Dawson.