Thorpe Retires From One-Day Cricket

Graham Thorpe has announced his retirement from one-day international cricket.

Thorpe admitted he was finding it difficult to cope with the demands at the highest level of the game.

The Surrey left-hander was expected to be a key member of England's World Cup plans next year in South Africa.

But Thorpe, overlooked for the final three matches of the NatWest Series which England lost to India in the final at Lord's, claimed the rigorous demands of combining Test and one-day international cricket were becoming too great for him.

He said he will now concentrate on the longer form of the game.

Thorpe said: "In terms of keeping my body fit it's becoming harder to do, playing both Tests and one-day internationals so I've decided to concentrate on just playing Test matches.

"I also want to have more time to build a relationship with my two children, given my new personal circumstances at home."

Thorpe, who played 82 one-day internationals for England and averaged 37.18, was forced home from England's tour to India last winter following the breakdown of his marriage.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said: "Graham's been a fantastic one-day player for England and we'll miss him but we look forward to him continuing to be a key player in our Test match side."