Former England Batter Graham Thorpe Dies at 55

Former England batsman and coach Graham Thorpe has passed away at the age of 55, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday.

Celebrated Career

Thorpe earned 100 Test caps between 1993 and 2005, scoring 16 centuries and amassing 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66. He also appeared in 82 one-day internationals and spent 17 years with his county side, Surrey. Thorpe is regarded as one of the best batters of his generation.

Transition to Coaching

After retiring in 2005, Thorpe transitioned into coaching, working with England’s international teams in various roles between 2010 and 2022. The ECB praised his contributions, stating, “His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements brought happiness to teammates, supporters, and fans worldwide.”

Final Years

After leaving his role with England following the 2021-2022 Ashes series defeat to Australia, Thorpe was appointed head coach of Afghanistan. However, he did not take up the role due to falling seriously ill in May 2022 with an unclear diagnosis.

Tributes

Tributes have poured in from past and present cricket stars. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said, “RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career. You were a great player and a brilliant teammate.” Current England skipper Ben Stokes posted a photo of him wearing a jersey with “Thorpe 564” (Thorpe’s Test cap number) along with heart emojis.

Legacy at Surrey

Thorpe spent his entire playing career at Surrey. Chair Oli Slipper expressed the club’s deep sadness, stating, “Graham is one of the great sons of Surrey. He made outstanding contributions to the Club as a cricketer and as a man, and he will be sorely missed.”

Thorpe’s contributions to cricket, both as a player and a coach, have left an indelible mark on the sport.