LONDON, 5 August 2003 — Michael Vaughan said batsman Graham Thorpe could be back in the England side for the third Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge.

England’s selectors will be under pressure to make changes after Vaughan’s first match as Test captain ended in a crushing innings and 92 run defeat inside four days Lord’s here Sunday.

The result left England 1-0 down in the five Test series with three to play and they were on the backfoot at Lord’s almost from the start after being bowled out for 173 in their first innings.

Bringing back Thorpe, a proven world class performer, would appear to strengthen England’s middle order and Vaughan denied reports that he had a personal objection to the Surrey left-hander’s presence in the side.

“If he’s right in his mind and personal life then I am sure the selectors will talk about him. He’s a fantastic player,” said Vaughan.

Thorpe, 34, has not played for England in nearly a year following personal problems brought about by the break-up of his marriage. He was picked for the 2002-03 tour of Australia only to change his mind before the plane left England.

But last month Thorpe, who confirmed he had cancelled his One-Day International retirement, insisted he was now ready to resume his England career.

South Africa’s Aviation Authority Denies Cronje Murder Claims

In Johannesburg, South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) yesterday denied claims that former cricket captain Hansie Cronje, who died in a plane accident last year, had in fact been murdered.

The London-based Observer Sports Monthly reported at the weekend that foul play could have been involved when the plane crashed near George in the Western Cape on May 30 last year.

The newspaper, quoting an unnamed CAA investigator close to the case, said Cronje could have been killed to prevent him from divulging more details on a match-fixing scandal that ended his career as South Africa’s most successful ever captain.

The CAA investigator reportedly said: “A lot of people wanted Cronje dead. They feared he would one day tell the full truth, and many more would be implicated.”

However, CAA commissioner Trevor Abrahams told SABC radio news yesterday morning the claims were fictitious.

“We are not aware of any such report. I don’t know where it comes from and certainly the indication that someone involved in the actual investigation from the CAA made any such statements are not true,” Abrahams said.