Door to elite arena is still open for Trescothick, says Thorpe

Graham Thorpe's international career was hindered by problems with depression, and the former England batsman has told Marcus Trescothick that he should not be ashamed about his feeling that he has let down his country.

Trescothick arrived back in the country on Wednesday after pulling out of the Ashes tour with what the England management described as a "stress-related illness". Thorpe, who is now the batting coach for New South Wales, said: "From a personal point of view, I have plenty of compassion for him. He would be feeling alone and doing it pretty tough at the moment. You never want to let your country or team-mates down."

Thorpe, who won 100 caps for England, said he hoped Trescothick would not be judged harshly. "I feel a certain amount of empathy. When I pulled out of England's tour to India to try to save my marriage in 2002, I remember feeling incredibly alone on the flight home. I didn't think I would ever get back to normality, let alone play cricket again at the highest level.

"My advice to Marcus is: talk to people, get all the help you need and, even though you won't feel it now, be assured things will get better."