Surrey have not yet reached a decision over whether Graham Thorpe will play in the Benson and Hedges Cup final against Gloucestershire at Lord's tomorrow.

Thorpe only started training again yesterday after a six-week lay-off because of a calf injury.

He appeared to rule himself out of the running by telling Channel 4's cricket web site: "I have had a lack of match practice but there is nothing we can do about that. I wanted to play in the Lord's final but I can't go into a game like that having only had one or two nets. That wouldn't be fair on Surrey or England."

But Surrey coach Keith Medlycott refused to rule Thorpe out of the running. He said: "He has had a long-term injury concern. He has not played for six weeks but he is very close to being back to full fitness.

"He has made very encouraging progress. He had an indoor net on Thursday and suffered no reaction to that and has had a net and a run around at Lord's today. The signs are encouraging.

"Of course, as regards the final there is always going to be that question mark about it being a humdrum of a game and you've got to give it 100% full on.

"If Thorpey came and said `I'm sure I can play' then we would have a decision to make. He is one of the best one-day players in world cricket."

Thorpe, asked about his injury, said: "It's getting better now."

But asked whether he would be playing tomorrow, he said: "The chances are slim. I would not say 'no' - but it is highly unlikely."

Meanwhile paceman Alex Tudor looks like being fit for the final. He missed the C&G clash with Yorkshire this week because of a side strain but Medlycott said: "He has had a fitness test and we will see how he is. At present I would say he's 50-50 but the physios are quietly confident. We are optimistic."

If Tudor fails to make the final line-up he will be replaced by Tim Murtagh for what would be his first Benson and Hedges appearance.

Mark Ramprakash, on the road to recovery from a hamstring strain, will play but Ian Salisbury will undergo a late fitness test on a foot injury.

Medlycott said: "We will have to sit on the fence with one or two of them until the morning and give them every opportunity."

Gloucestershire, meanwhile, are likely to be without paceman Jon Lewis who is awaiting results of a scan on a back injury, having been out of the game for nearly six weeks

He took part in a net session at Lord's but coach John Bracewell said: "He is doubtful and has not really had enough cricket. If it was a green seamer we might have taken a chance but it looks a very good wicket."

Batsman Rob Cunliffe and bowler Mark Hardinges have been added to the players on duty in this week's C&G match against Durham.

Squads:

Gloucestershire: Hewson, Barnett, Windows, Harvey, Taylor, Snape, Russell, Alleyne, Ball, Cawdron, Averis, Hardinges, Cunliffe, Lewis.

Surrey: Butcher, Ward, Ramprakash, Stewart, Brown, A. Hollioake, B. Hollioake, Thorpe, Bicknell, Saqlain Mushtaq, Murtagh, Giddins, Tudor, Salisbury.

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