Thorpe's India decision looms

England will know within the next 48 hours if Graham Thorpe will be available for England's one-day tour of India.

The Surrey left-hander returned home early from the three-match Test series because of marital problems.

It was understood a Boxing Day deadline had been set for Thorpe's decision on next month's series, but chairman of selectors David Graveney has denied that and said there would be a decision within the next couple of days.

England, who lost the Test series 1-0 in India before Christmas, return for one-day games in January and February. It seems likely they have agreed to play a sixth one-day international in the series, though the venue is unconfirmed.

However, one man who is definitely out of the series is Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, who has a shoulder injury.

Dravid will be treated at a Johannesburg clinic in order to avoid surgery which could rule him out for up to seven months. "I had wanted to fly to South Africa soon after the Bangalore Test, but was told that since it was Christmas the specialists would be on leave," Dravid said.

"I will, however, be available for the two Test and five oneday games against Zimbabwe beginning in February."

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar has taken another swipe at England's approach to the game, dismissing it as only "good for people suffering from insomnia".

During the India tour, Gavaskar labelled Nasser Hussain's side as "boring" and criticised the quality of their batting.

Although the former Indian batsman readily admitted India's failings had contributed to England gaining the upper hand in the last two Tests, he did not spare the tourists.

"At the end of the Third Test, the overwhelming feeling was one of relief," he said.

"Thank God, it was a three-Test series and not a five-Test one, for Indian cricket would have lost a great number of spectators seeing the fare dished out."