Thorpe blow sours England's day

The Surrey left-hander is now almost certain to miss the third Ashes Test starting in Adelaide on Friday.

He had already been forced to pull out of the seven-wicket second Test defeat in Perth when his back played up again.

Thorpe had been passed fit to play Victoria after a course of acupuncture relieved his pain, but he retired hurt after making one in 40 minutes from 29 deliveries Monday.

Another frustrating sight for England was seeing opener Michael Atherton caught hooking again.

Atherton was brilliantly caught at fine leg by Matthew Inness from the fast bowling of Brad Williams for 14 in a mirror image of his dismissal in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.

The opener has continually hooked short balls this tour, Monday getting a top edge that appeared set to sail for six runs.

But Inness retreated towards the fence to take a fine falling catch a metre inside the boundary rope.

England reached 207 for five in their second innings -- an overall lead of 280 runs -- by close of play on the third day.

They were expected to set Victoria a run chase on Tuesday on a shortened day requiring a minimum of 67 overs.

The initial three days of play had been extended by 30 minutes so England could catch an 8pm plane to Adelaide Tuesday night.

England batsmen John Crawley (68), Mark Ramprakash (36) and Alec Stewart (33) all played aggressively while paceman Ashley Gilbert claimed two wickets in his first class debut.

Earlier, England paceman Dean Headley took five wickets for 58 as Victoria were bowled out for 300.

The Kent paceman, grandson of Caribbean cricket legend George Headley and son of former Worcestershire and West Indies batsman Ron Headley, also took two catches and caused a run out.

England manager Graham Gooch admitted Thorpe was unlikely to play the Adelaide Test.

``He had to play in this game to prove his fitness,'' Gooch said. ``What has happened now has got to cast doubt over his involvement in that game.''

England physiotherapist Wayne Morton said Thorpe felt stiffness in his lower back 20 minutes before batting.

``He really has a feeling of not being very safe in his back,'' Morton said. It limits him to where he is able to move.''

Morton said Thorpe's condition would be further assessed Tuesday morning. The Surrey strokeplayer made an unbeaten double century at the Adelaide Oval against South Australia early last month in an ominous sign his fine Ashes record would be upheld.

Thorpe topped England's runscoring lists in the past two Ashes series and this tour has made 438 first class runs at an average of 87.6.

Thorpe has been plagued by a back problem since it forced him to return home early from England's tour of the West Indies earlier this year.

The 29-year-old had surgery before the injury flared again during the English summer but was confident on arrival in Australia he had overcome the problem.

Thorpe's early tour form supported his claim before a long flight from Sydney to Perth after the drawn Ashes opener caused him difficulty.

He was ruled out of the Perth Test and underwent a course of acupuncture to relieve the pain and made a return against Victoria in this match.