Cricket: Pietersen gets England call as Thorpe axed

LONDON - England picked uncapped batsman Kevin Pietersen for the first Ashes test against Australia and all but called time on Graham Thorpe's international career on Thursday.

David Graveney said the decision to go for the younger, less experienced man -- Pietersen is 25, while Thorpe is 35 and has played 100 tests -- had been one of the most difficult he had had to make as a selector.

He told a news conference at Lord's that both had made "compelling cases for selection" but said Pietersen had been chosen because of his one-day form against the Australians.

"It was a close call," Graveney said. Asked if the decision marked the end of Thorpe's England career, Graveney added: "For Graham, you can never say never.

"He needs a bit of time to think over the decision that has been made. It's a big decision in his life." Thorpe, already retired from one-day internationals, has announced he will quit tests at the end of the English summer. He is due to spend the winter coaching and playing in New South Wales.

An Ashes recall during the rest of the five-match series now appears to depend on an injury to another player.

The first test begins at Lord's next Thursday.

Pietersen said he got goose bumps when he was told of his selection, adding he would not change his attacking style of play in test matches.

"I am as delighted as you can get at the minute. I think I ticked the right boxes during the one-dayers against Australia but they are big shoes to fill.

"I keep things very, very simple. I'm not going to blow things up and tell myself this is massive. I'm going to play my natural game and if it comes off, it comes off. If it doesn't, hopefully I'll get another go."

The two batsmen are very different players. A middle-order anchor, the left-handed Thorpe averages 44.66 in tests and 45.74 against Australia, although he missed most of the 2001 series and all the matches in 2002-3.

Thorpe last played for England against Bangladesh in June. The last of his 16 test centuries came against South Africa in December.

South African-born Pietersen has become a fixture in England's one-day side with an average of 87.33 scored at almost a run a ball. He struck three centuries in six matches against South Africa at the start of the year.

Last month he scored 91 off 65 balls against Australia in a triangular series match and on Tuesday he was the one England player to shine in the one-day series decider at The Oval, scoring 74 before tweaking a groin muscle.

Pietersen said he felt that innings might have made up the selectors' minds, adding: "I thrive on pressure. I love the big occasion and I am definitely ready for the challenge."

Graveney also praised Pietersen's attitude. "We have a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room -- it's one of the major factors for us to beat Australia -- and Kevin certainly contributes to that."

- REUTERS