Thorpe's exit looms closer

At his best, Thorpe would be a hot favourite to start the Ashes series in July and see the job through. But unless he sparkles like a diamond against Bangladesh, runs taken off the world's worst Test team will soon fade from the memory - especially if Pietersen manages to take apart Australia's attack during the one-day series before the main business begins.

The decision for captain Michael Vaughan to bat at No3 and Ian Bell at No4 this week now looks more significant than ever.

Those two spots seem set in stone for this summer's seven Tests, given a decent run of form and an absence of injuries. But No5, Thorpe's place, now looks wide open again. Whatever happens on that front, though, Thorpe can look forward to a fresh challenge.

Ian Botham was the last England player to appear in the Sheffield Shield 18 years ago. Thorpe, whose county contract expires at the end of this season, will have a double role with New South Wales - playing and helping with coaching.

It is not difficult to work out how the idea came about. Dave Gilbert, Surrey's former coach, is chief executive of NSW while the county's current coach, Steve Rixon, was with the state and still has close links with them.

Thorpe will be missed whenever his international career ends - but the end may come sooner than most of us had thought even a couple of days ago.