Graham Thorpe, a stalwart of English cricket, passed away on at the age of 55.
Renowned for his elegant batting style and astute coaching acumen, Thorpe was a beloved figure in the sport.
A prolific batsman, Thorpe represented England with distinction, amassing over 6,000 Test runs and showcasing exceptional skill and determination.
His contributions extended beyond his playing days, as he mentored a generation of cricketers through his role as a coach.
The England and Wales Cricket Board shared their sorrow, saying, “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.
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.
He played a whopping 100 Tests and 82 one-day internationals, dazzling fans with his left-handed batting and right-handed bowling.
With an impressive average of 45.04 and 49 first-class centuries to his name, Thorpe left an indelible mark on the game.
Even after he retired in 2005, his legacy lived on, especially through his work as a coach. He guided some of England’s top talent to stunning victories across all formats.
Career and Personal Life
Thorpe’s journey in cricket began at Surrey, where he played 189 first-class matches.
He could have been a footballer, even getting a trial with Brentford, but he chose cricket and never looked back.
His early days saw him as an all-rounder, but a back injury shifted his focus solely to batting. This injury nagged him throughout his career, often needing painkillers just to get through a match.
His personal life wasn’t without its struggles. In 2002, he took a break from cricket due to the breakdown of his first marriage, which he described as a “total breakdown.”
But Thorpe made a triumphant return to the Test team in 2003 with a century against South Africa.
By 2004, he was at the peak of his career, averaging 73.15 in 20 Test innings.
In 2005, Thorpe announced his retirement, saying, “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.”
His colleague Mike Atherton once noted, “A happy, contented Graham Thorpe is a world-class player… 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.”
His second wife Amanda brought stability into his life, helping him focus on his game and later his coaching career.
He started in Australia, mentoring rising stars like Steve Smith and David Warner, before joining England’s coaching staff in 2010.
Recently, he was the assistant coach on England’s challenging Ashes tour last winter.
Even though it ended in a 4-0 defeat, his influence was still felt deeply within the team.
Ben Stokes, the current Test captain, paid a touching tribute to Thorpe on X (formerly Twitter). He shared a photo of himself at Lord’s with ‘Thorpe 564’ – Graham’s Test cap number – on his England shirt, a nod to the respect and affection the team holds for him.
