After withdrawing for the 16-man party, he admitted: "This has been the hardest decision of my cricket career."

Thorpe was picked for the tour earlier this month after convincing the selectors he was in the right frame of mind to tour despite his recent marital problems.

But the Surrey star re-contacted the England management on Monday to say he would not be available after all.

In a statement issued on his behalf by Surrey, Thorpe said: "Since returning to the game I have found it difficult to consistently concentrate on cricket.

"I therefore feel it is better to be honest with the England cricket team, the management, and myself now, rather than during the Ashes tour.

"It would be wrong for me to go to Australia purely for the financial gain that it would bring me whilst I am finding it difficult to fully focus on the job in hand 100% of the time."

A replacement is now expected to be named by next Monday at the latest, with Mark Ramprakash and Nick Knight among those in the frame.

Thorpe retired from one-day international cricket this summer in order to devote more time to his children and then decided to take a complete break from the game.

But, after announcing he would go on the tour, he returned to form with Surrey, making 143 in a County Championship match against Hampshire.

"All we can feel is sympathy for what he has gone through in the last six months," said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

Graveney added the selectors would meet once captain Nasser Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher had returned home from Sri Lanka.

Aussies unconcerned

Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist meanwhile said Thorpe's decision would not affect the way they approach the forthcoming series.

He believes England still have enough batting strength to pose a credible challenge.

"Obviously he is a class player, so you would think on paper it is going to weaken them a little bit - but they have done well without him too," he commented.

"It is obviously a very difficult time for him, and it was on and off again during the last Ashes series in England when he had injuries.

"But we do not spend a lot of time worrying about what their team is going to be.

"We will see what they turn up with for the first Test and deal with it."