ECB pronounces dying of former England batter and coach Thorpe aged 55

Throughout his enjoying profession, Thorpe scored 6744 Check runs, with 16 a whole lot, and was additionally capped 82 instances in one-day internationals. He performed for Surrey between 1988 and 2005, scoring nearly 20,000 runs for the county.

”It’s with nice unhappiness that we share the information that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has handed away,” the ECB stated in an announcement. ”There appear to be no acceptable phrases to explain the deep shock we really feel at Graham’s dying.

”A couple of of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket household and revered by followers all around the world. His ability was unquestioned, and his talents and achievements throughout a 13-year worldwide profession introduced a lot happiness to his teammates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike. Later, as a coach, he guided one of the best England Males’s expertise to some unbelievable victories throughout all codecs of the sport.

”The cricket world is in mourning at this time. Our hearts exit to his spouse Amanda, his kids, father Geoff, and all of his household and buddies throughout this unimaginably tough time. We are going to all the time bear in mind Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the game.”

Thorpe joined the ECB in 2010 as lead batting coach, and was a part of the backroom workforce that oversaw England’s 2019 Males’s World Cup success. He went on to work as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood, though he was amongst quite a lot of the teaching employees to depart within the wake of the 2021-22 Ashes.

He had been resulting from take cost of Afghanistan, after being appointed in March 2022, however was unable to fulfil the function.

After Thorpe was hospitalised in Could of that 12 months, England’s newly appointed Check captain Ben Stokes wore a shirt with Thorpe’s identify and England cap quantity on the again for the toss at his first match in cost, in opposition to New Zealand at Lord’s.

Oli Slipper, Surrey’s chair stated: “Graham is likely one of the nice sons of Surrey and there may be an awesome unhappiness that he won’t stroll via the gates of the Oval once more. He’s a legend of Surrey and introduced nice delight to the membership carrying each the Three Feathers and the Three Lions.

“He made outstanding contributions to the club as a cricketer, and as a man, and he will be so sorely missed.”

Steve Elworthy, Surrey chief government, added: “Everybody related to the membership is devastated by the tragic information of Graham’s passing. He achieved exceptional feats for membership and nation and was a hero to so many cricket followers.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and friends, to whom we will offer any support that we are able to. We ask that everyone respects the privacy of the family at this incredibly difficult time.”

A tricky, counterattacking batter, Thorpe scored a century on debut in opposition to Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993. He went on to develop into one England’s premier Check batters in the course of the Nineties and early 2000s, in addition to a dependable one-day accumulator who featured on the 1996 and 1999 World Cups.

Nonetheless, after touring with England for 10 consecutive winters, the breakdown of Thorpe’s marriage in 2002 led to him retiring from ODIs and taking an indefinite break from the sport. He returned after greater than a 12 months out of the Check aspect to attain a century in opposition to South Africa at The Oval, his residence floor, and assist safe a drawn collection.

His ultimate England look was the event of his one hundredth cap, in opposition to Bangladesh at Chester-le-Road, with the emergence of Kevin Pietersen resulting in Thorpe being dropped for the 2005 Ashes.