Cricket legend Graham Thorpe passes away at 55
By
Seia Ibanez
- Replies 5
The sports community has been struck by a profound loss with the untimely passing of Graham Thorpe, a titan of English cricket, at the age of 55.
His death has sent ripples of grief through the hearts of fans, players, and colleagues alike, leaving many to grapple with the reality of losing such an iconic figure in the cricketing world.
Graham Thorpe, whose left-handed batting prowess etched his name into the annals of cricket history, is being remembered not just for his remarkable skill on the field but also for the indelible mark he left on the sport.
With a sterling career that spanned over a decade, Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, amassing 6,744 runs at an impressive average of 44.66, including 16 centuries.
His contributions to the game were not limited to his batting; he also captained England on three occasions, demonstrating leadership qualities that resonated with his teammates and fans.
In the One Day International arena, Thorpe represented England 82 times, scoring 2380 runs with a commendable average of 37.18 and a top score of 89.
He also played 341 first-class matches, scoring a staggering 21,937 runs, including 49 centuries. His prowess extended to 354 domestic one-day matches, where he accumulated 10,871 runs. These numbers are a testament to a career that was, by any measure, truly incredible.
After hanging up his boots, Thorpe transitioned into coaching, where he continued to influence the game and its players.
Between 2010 and 2022, he held various coaching roles for England, imparting his knowledge and experience to the next generation of cricketers.
In March 2022, he was poised to take on the role of head coach for Afghanistan but was tragically unable to fulfil this appointment due to a serious illness that led to his hospitalisation.
The cricket world has been quick to honour Thorpe's memory.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a heartfelt statement, expressing the profound shock felt at his passing and celebrating him as a beloved member of the cricket family.
‘There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death,’ the statement read.
‘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.’
‘His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates 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.’
‘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.’
Surrey County Cricket Club, where Thorpe spent his entire county career, remembered him as a 'legend' and one of the great sons of Surrey.
‘Graham is one of the great sons of Surrey, and there is an overwhelming sadness that he will not walk through the gates of the Oval again. He is a legend of Surrey and brought great pride to the Club wearing both the Three Feathers and the Three Lions,’ the club said.
‘He made outstanding contributions to the Club as a cricketer and as a man, and he will be so sorely missed.’
Tributes have poured in from all corners of the cricketing fraternity.
The Barmy Army, England's supporters club, posted a simple yet poignant message: 'Tragic news. Rest in peace.'
Players past and present, including former England captain Michael Vaughan and current England opener Ben Duckett, have offered their condolences, highlighting Thorpe's influence as a player and a mentor.
International cricket legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Darren Lehmann, Herschelle Gibbs, and others have also expressed their sorrow, reflecting on Thorpe's character and the legacy he leaves behind.
‘Rest in Peace, Thorpey. Great man and legend. Thoughts with his family, loved ones and friends. Gone far too early,’ Sangakkara said.
‘Graham Thorpe had his demons, but this is just such a sad day…RIP Thorpey, a fabulous cricketer and team mate,’ ex-England star turned cricket correspondent Derek Pringle said.
Thorpe's journey began with his England debut at the age of 24 in 1993 in an Ashes Test against Australia, where he scored a memorable 114 at Trent Bridge.
He would become a mainstay of the England middle-order until his retirement from international cricket in 2005.
His coaching career took him to Australia, where he coached at New South Wales between 2005 and 2008 before returning to England to continue his coaching journey.
You can watch one of his games below:
Credit: @henrymoeranBBC / Twitter
Graham Thorpe’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who admired his talent, his fighting spirit, and his contributions to the sport he loved so dearly.
Rest in peace, Thorpey. Your memory will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.
His death has sent ripples of grief through the hearts of fans, players, and colleagues alike, leaving many to grapple with the reality of losing such an iconic figure in the cricketing world.
Graham Thorpe, whose left-handed batting prowess etched his name into the annals of cricket history, is being remembered not just for his remarkable skill on the field but also for the indelible mark he left on the sport.
With a sterling career that spanned over a decade, Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, amassing 6,744 runs at an impressive average of 44.66, including 16 centuries.
His contributions to the game were not limited to his batting; he also captained England on three occasions, demonstrating leadership qualities that resonated with his teammates and fans.
In the One Day International arena, Thorpe represented England 82 times, scoring 2380 runs with a commendable average of 37.18 and a top score of 89.
He also played 341 first-class matches, scoring a staggering 21,937 runs, including 49 centuries. His prowess extended to 354 domestic one-day matches, where he accumulated 10,871 runs. These numbers are a testament to a career that was, by any measure, truly incredible.
After hanging up his boots, Thorpe transitioned into coaching, where he continued to influence the game and its players.
Between 2010 and 2022, he held various coaching roles for England, imparting his knowledge and experience to the next generation of cricketers.
In March 2022, he was poised to take on the role of head coach for Afghanistan but was tragically unable to fulfil this appointment due to a serious illness that led to his hospitalisation.
The cricket world has been quick to honour Thorpe's memory.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a heartfelt statement, expressing the profound shock felt at his passing and celebrating him as a beloved member of the cricket family.
‘There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death,’ the statement read.
‘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.’
‘His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates 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.’
‘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.’
Surrey County Cricket Club, where Thorpe spent his entire county career, remembered him as a 'legend' and one of the great sons of Surrey.
‘Graham is one of the great sons of Surrey, and there is an overwhelming sadness that he will not walk through the gates of the Oval again. He is a legend of Surrey and brought great pride to the Club wearing both the Three Feathers and the Three Lions,’ the club said.
‘He made outstanding contributions to the Club as a cricketer and as a man, and he will be so sorely missed.’
Tributes have poured in from all corners of the cricketing fraternity.
The Barmy Army, England's supporters club, posted a simple yet poignant message: 'Tragic news. Rest in peace.'
Players past and present, including former England captain Michael Vaughan and current England opener Ben Duckett, have offered their condolences, highlighting Thorpe's influence as a player and a mentor.
International cricket legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Darren Lehmann, Herschelle Gibbs, and others have also expressed their sorrow, reflecting on Thorpe's character and the legacy he leaves behind.
‘Rest in Peace, Thorpey. Great man and legend. Thoughts with his family, loved ones and friends. Gone far too early,’ Sangakkara said.
‘Graham Thorpe had his demons, but this is just such a sad day…RIP Thorpey, a fabulous cricketer and team mate,’ ex-England star turned cricket correspondent Derek Pringle said.
Thorpe's journey began with his England debut at the age of 24 in 1993 in an Ashes Test against Australia, where he scored a memorable 114 at Trent Bridge.
He would become a mainstay of the England middle-order until his retirement from international cricket in 2005.
His coaching career took him to Australia, where he coached at New South Wales between 2005 and 2008 before returning to England to continue his coaching journey.
You can watch one of his games below:
Credit: @henrymoeranBBC / Twitter
Key Takeaways
- Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe has died at the age of 55, shocking the cricket world and leaving many in mourning.
- Thorpe was celebrated as one of England's greatest batters of his generation with a career that included playing 100 Tests and scoring 6744 runs at an average of 44.66.
- After his playing days, Thorpe had several coaching roles for England and was announced as the head coach of Afghanistan in March 2022 before falling seriously ill.
- Tributes have poured in from the cricket community, including the England and Wales Cricket Board, Surrey County Cricket Club, and fellow cricketers, highlighting his status as a cricket legend and beloved member of the cricket family.
Rest in peace, Thorpey. Your memory will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.