Thorpe on trial as he bids to keep Test place

Graham Thorpe will strive this week to prove himself fit for Test action knowing that candidates are queuing up to take his place.

Twelve summers after winning a first cap, the Surrey left-hander must prove he has recovered from a back problem before facing Bangladesh.

But even if Thorpe strides to the starting line at Lord's on Thursday week and then makes his 100th Test appearance in Chester-le-Street a few days later, the 35-year-old's involvement in the Ashes series no longer looks a formality. England have so far resisted the temptation to include Kevin Pietersen, although the Hampshire batsman seems certain to be summoned if Thorpe fails to recover.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney has made it clear that Pietersen's case for inclusion was discussed long and hard, while he has also thrown the name of Middlesex's Ed Joyce into a debate about the middle order.

Irishman Joyce does not qualify for England until mid-summer but he will be available by the time the Ashes series starts.

Graveney said: "Graham did well in the last Test we played [making 86 against South Africa at Centurion Park] and he is our most experienced player. But he knows there are a number of batsmen chasing him down."