England chairman of selectors David Graveney admitted Pietersen had put forward 'irresistible case' for a place in the Ashes team against Australia, but said the selectors have yet to make up their minds on the starting 11.

"Kevin is very close," Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"I wish I had a pound for every time I had been asked whether he was going to be picked but he has stated an irresistible case with the way he has been playing.

"But we must not forget, Graham Thorpe has been a class act for a number of years. It is a difficult problem for the selectors, but it is also a nice problem."

Pietersen stated his case after hitting 91 not-out in his first limited-overs outing against the Aussies at Bristol last month, following a series of sensational one-day performances in South Africa in the winter.

The 24-year-old's Test claims could prove difficult to resist even though Surrey's Thorpe, his chief rival for a place in England captain Michael Vaughan's side, is one of the few players to enjoy previous success against Australia.

Graveney, Vaughan and coach Duncan Fletcher will meet next week to discuss their selection options for the five-Test series against Ricky Ponting's men.