Ray Illingworth believes that there should be no way back for Graham Thorpe, after his late withdrawal from this winter's Ashes tour. "It is a great shame because he is a fine player," said Illingworth, in an interview in the Daily Express. "But England have to say goodbye to him now."

Thorpe pulled out of the trip to Australia on Tuesday, saying that he was not mentally fit. This was despite his earlier assurances that he would be able to withstand the rigours of an Ashes battle. He has now completed just one of England's last five overseas series.

"You can't have players around who are moping and worrying about problems at home, so it is best Graham is not going if that is the case," added Illingworth. "But I think he will regret the decision. He is 33 and won't get another chance. You are a long time retired and I would have thought it best for him and his family to give it a go and put his heart and soul into it.

"It's barely three months away, nothing like tours in the past which took six months. I am surprised he has reached this stage because he was never a problem for me as chairman, we got on well. But the selectors cannot afford to be messed around like this." Illingworth was England's chairman of selectors from 1994 to 1997.

But Mike Gatting, another England captain who triumphed in Australia, was adamant that Thorpe still has a Test future.

"I am convinced common sense has prevailed and I am also sure it is far too early to write off Thorpe as a Test batsman," said Gatting, who retained the Ashes in Australia in 1986-87. "He would have copped flak at every turn from the Aussies and each time he failed his frame of mind would have come into question."

"Just imagine what would have happened every time he walked out to bat. You can be sure one of the Aussie fielders would have crossed his path and 'politely' asked: 'How are the kids, Thorpey?'"

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