Thorpe heads home for personal reasons

England batsman Graham Thorpe pulled out of the second Test against India just before the start and is returning home for personal reasons, an England team official said on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Surrey left-hander was replaced in the team by Michael Vaughan.

Thorpe, regarded as England's top batsman, scored 23 and 62 in the first Test which the visitors lost by 10 wickets in Mohali and was considered key to the team's chances of salvaging the three-Test series.

There will be no replacement for Thorpe, the official added.

Thorpe risked his international career by pulling out of England's tour to South Africa in 1999/2000 to spend more time with his family after touring for 10 successive winters.

A world-class player, he forced himself back into the team the following English summer.

He has been forced home early from previous tours to Australia and West Indies in 1998/99 because of back problems.

Thorpe, the cornerstone of England's batting after the retirement of Michael Atherton earlier this year, has played 70 Tests, averaging 40.91.

Mail Cricket Editor