Graham Thorpe gave his friend Nasser Hussain a late but welcome Christmas present by confirming that he will be available for England in the New Year. Both Thorpe and Andrew Caddick have told chairman of selectors, David Graveney, that they will be part of both the one-day squad in India next month and the tour party to New Zealand.

There had been doubts over Thorpe's participation after he returned home early from the Test series in India because of problems with his marriage.

Thorpe said: "The past few weeks have been a difficult time for me and my family, and I am grateful to the selectors for giving me as much time as I needed to come to this decision.

"I now firmly believe that I can commit myself fully to cricket again and I hope to play a full part in both the one-day series in India and the one-day and Test series in New Zealand."

A relieved Graveney said: "The selectors appreciate that this has been a difficult time for Graham, and we are delighted that he has decided to commit himself in full to the remaining part of this winter's tour programme.

"He is our leading batsman, and I am sure that he will have a significant part to play in both India and New Zealand over the next three months."

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board admitted that the team was a little depleted on the first leg of the tour.

"But any team that has Graham Thorpe and Andrew Caddick in it is going to be a better team," Lamb added.

The security of the region is being closely monitored, as tension grows on the India-Pakistan border.

"At the moment there is no reason to think the tour is under threat," said Lamb.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd