Thorpe in new 'domestic' row

The private life of England batsman, Graham Thorpe, once more entered the public domain yesterday. It was confirmed that police were called on Boxing Day to a domestic dispute at the Epsom home of Thorpe's former wife, Nicola.

A statement from Surrey Police said: "An allegation of common assault has been made which is being investigated. No one has been arrested." Thorpe and his ex-wife, who have two children, went through a painful, often public separation in 2001, which led to the batsman withdrawing from international cricket.

Thorpe admitted that he had been deeply affected by events. But he returned from adversity and was reportedly in upbeat mood on England's recent tour of Sri Lanka. He was restored to the Test side late last summer, when he made a century against South Africa, and returned on Christmas Eve from the unsuccessful tour of Sri Lanka.

Like his colleagues, Thorpe struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners and could not repeat his triumph of 2001. He made 173 runs in six innings. Earlier this year, the Thorpes issued a joint statement asking the media to respect their privacy and to be left alone to get on with their lives.