Thorpe Delighted With Century On Return

Thorpe returned to the side after more than a year's absence to score a majestic 124 as England - needing victory for a 2-2 draw - closed the third day on 502 for seven, a lead of 18 runs.

Thorpe shared a 268-run stand with Marcus Trescothick, who struck a marathon nine-and-a-half-hour 219, his highest-ever first-class score and only his second three-figure score in his past 50 Test innings.

The southpaw duo resumed on 164 for two and negotiated the best part of four hours until, with light rain falling, Thorpe was bowled off his pads by a Jacques Kallis delivery which shaped in from around the wicket.

Michael Vaughan's side will need to reach greater heights to defeat the tourists on a true surface but were put on the way by Thorpe - back in the side because of Nasser Hussain's broken toe.

"Coming back has felt like climbing up a mountain after dragging myself off the floor from a year ago," Thorpe said. "I am enjoying life again and enjoying cricket again.

"I feel like a completely different person coming back into the team and getting stuck in was a really good feeling out there. It was a real buzz.

"It feels better than making a hundred on my debut because there were times when I asked myself whether I wanted to play again at this level.

"Was it worth it? Was it too much hassle? Did I just want to accept where I was at and not play again. When you say you do, you put your neck on the line. I had to get the fear of failing out of my mind by getting out there and getting amongst it again.

"People are occasionally afraid to make a fool of themselves in life but it is better to have a go and fail than never get the opportunity."

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