Graham Thorpe refused to be bitter about his Ashes snub as he made a successful return to action with Surrey.
England veteran Thorpe insisted there were no hard feelings after being overlooked for the first Test against Australia, which begins next Thursday at Lord's.
The uncapped Kevin Pietersen, 10 years younger at 25, was preferred for the number five spot, and with Thorpe calling time on international availability at the end of the summer, his top-level career may have run its full course.
But the left-handed batsman returned to hit a rapid 60 in the C&G quarter-final tie with Hampshire at the Brit Oval, as he looks to see out the domestic campaign.
Considering whether England is now past rather than present, Thorpe said: "Only time will tell but at the moment it is.
"I wish the boys all the best for the Test next week. There are no hard feelings.
"I am just going to concentrate on playing for Surrey and see what happens from there."
Just over a month ago, Thorpe appeared a certainty for only his third Test appearance against the Australians since 1997, when he won his 100th cap in the innings win over Bangladesh at Chester-le-Street.
Now, having effectively pre-announced his England retirement in May by revealing his winter commitments were to be spent in New South Wales rather than Pakistan or India, only injury or severe loss of form will allow a return and only then if the body is willing.
Pietersen's powerful displays in the NatWest one-dayers influenced the vote, one which was not aided by concerns over Thorpe's persistent back complaints.
Although that ailment is nothing new - he has been at his creakiest when he has been most productive, averaging a stunning 56 since his recall two years ago - his mobility in the field would certainly be under examination against a side as strong as Australia.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney rang to relay the news prior to the squad announcement, and Thorpe added: "Of course I was disappointed. I have played my career for England and that sort of phone call is never easy to take.
"But I accept it, the decision has been made. Life goes on and I am still a happy soul inside.
"In my mind there was always a chance it could happen, but you don't believe it until it does and it took yesterday for it to sink in."
Pietersen missed the run-heavy encounter in London to rest a sore groin, which is not nevertheless a sufficient concern to keep him out of next week's first of five Tests.
The Pietermaritzburg-born player, who qualifies for England through his mother, Penny, has scored heavily in first-class cricket during his four-year qualification period just as Graeme Hick, brought up in Zimbabwe, did during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
