Graham Thorpe arrived back at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday morning, after flying home early from England's tour of India. He would not divulge why he had returned, saying only that it was for "personal reasons." England's chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said that the team management was fully supportive of Thorpe. But with a busy winter schedule ahead of the team, he made clear that Thorpe has less than a month to decide on his participation in the second leg of the tour.

"It's a serious situation, and everyone has to respect that," said Graveney. "As chairman of selectors I will give him maximum time and support to resolve problems.

"We are not going to impose any deadlines on Graham to tell us of his plans. We will give him maximum support and hope this doesn't have too much of an impact on the other lads."

After Christmas, England return to India for a series of five one-day internationals, beginning January 22, before travelling on to New Zealand.

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