LONDON, SEPT 23: Graeme Hick, the only batsman still playing first-class cricket to have scored 100 centuries has been put on stand-by for England's Ashes tour of Australia later this year.Hick was left out of the party announced earlier this month but the England selectors said today that he would be a non-travelling reserve with paceman Andy Caddick and left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell.
``The three players we have placed on stand-by are proven Test cricketers who are very much part of our current plans,'' chairman of selectors David Graveney said.
All three will be expected to stay fit and be ready to fly to Australia at short notice.
England officials said Graham Thorpe and Alex Tudor had passed fitness tests on back and foot injuries respectively and would leave for Australia with the rest of the England party on October 21.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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