Thorpe relies on past successes

Graham Thorpe says he will draw on past success against South Africa as his underdone team prepare for this week's first Test in Port Elizabeth.

England batsman Graham Thorpe says he will draw on past success against South Africa as his underdone team prepare for this week's first Test in Port Elizabeth.

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"Obviously we would have liked more preparation, but we don't have a choice after we played poorly against South Africa A," Thorpe told reporters on Tuesday.

"In an ideal world, the batsmen would have liked to have spent more time at the crease, but it's important that we don't get down on ourselves," Thorpe said just before leaving for Johannesburg, where the England squad will board a flight for Port Elizabeth.

"We're going to have to dig deep into the memory banks and remember the times we've done well against them," Thorpe added.

"I have played well at times, under more pressure, against South Africa, so I will draw on that"

The experienced left-hander scored a century against South Africa in his comeback test at the Oval in 2003, 11 months after withdrawing from England's tour of Australia for personal reasons.

"I didn't know my elbow from my shoulder then," Thorpe said.

England slumped to a seven-wicket loss to South Africa A on Monday.

"We lacked intensity and we need to rise to the level that South Africa will be at," Thorpe said.