Former England cricketer and celebrated coach Graham Thorpe has died at the age of 55, leaving the cricketing world in mourning. Renowned for his exceptional skill as a Test batter, Thorpe’s passing has evoked deep sadness and tributes from across the cricketing community.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated in an official release. “There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death. More than one of England’s finest ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.”
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.
There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death. pic.twitter.com/VMXqxVJJCh
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2024
The ECB praised Thorpe’s contributions to cricket, noting, “His skill was unquestioned and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his team-mates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike. Later, as a coach, he guided the best England Men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.”
Thorpe, a fluent left-handed batter and right-handed bowler, appeared in precisely 100 Test matches and 82 One-Day Internationals throughout his 12-year international career. He also played 189 first-class matches for Surrey, amassing 49 centuries and maintaining an impressive average of 45.04 before retiring in 2005.
A talented footballer in his youth, Thorpe had the opportunity to represent England Schoolboys and trial with Brentford but chose a career in cricket. He made his first-class debut for Surrey in 1988, where he initially showcased his all-rounder abilities. However, recurring back injuries eventually forced him to cease his seam bowling, and he endured significant physical pain throughout his career, requiring painkilling injections to bat.
Thorpe faced personal struggles as well. In 2002, he took an indefinite break from cricket to deal with the collapse of his first marriage, which he described as a “total breakdown” amid public scrutiny and separation from his children. Despite these challenges, he made a triumphant return to the Test team in 2003 with a century against South Africa at The Oval. His remarkable form continued into 2004, where he averaged 73.15 in 20 Test innings.
Reflecting on his career in 2005, Thorpe said, “I don’t know where my journey is going to take me over the next few years but I’m going to enjoy working it out,” as he announced his retirement during an Ashes series he had hoped to play in.
Mike Atherton, a former teammate, noted, “Of all the players I played with, [Thorpe] was the one whose state of mind most affected his play. A happy, contented Graham Thorpe is a world-class player, his presence beneficial to any team. If something off the field is eating away at him, he cannot put it to the back of his mind and concentrate on his cricket.”
Thorpe’s second marriage to Amanda brought him stability and support. Following his retirement from playing, he transitioned into coaching, initially working with young talent in Australia, including Steve Smith and David Warner, at New South Wales. He later joined the England coaching setup in 2010, serving as a batting coach and, more recently, as an assistant coach during last winter’s challenging Ashes tour. His tenure with England ended after the team’s 4-0 defeat and the subsequent coaching shake-up.
The ECB concluded their tribute with heartfelt condolences: “The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”
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