The 33-year-old batsman excluded himself from all cricket after England completed the first-Test win over India at Lord's - a fortnight after he retired from the one-day international scene.

And now Nasser Hussain has confirmed the selectors will be waiting for Thorpe to get in contact with them as regards his availability for the winter tour.

However, he warned that Thorpe was not guaranteed a place in the squad even if he did want to go on tour.

Hussain said: "It will be up to Graham in the next week to get a phone call in to the England selectors to tell us that he's available.

"Australia will view it as a weaker England side with Graham Thorpe not there - he is one of our best players - but we can't keep having the Graham Thorpe issue cropping up."

Hussain added: "It will be a very difficult decision."