Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe has passed away at the age of 55 following a prolonged illness. His death has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. The England Cricket Board (ECB) expressed profound sorrow over his passing in a statement.
“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,” the ECB stated, as quoted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Thorpe’s contribution to English cricket over the years has been significant. He made his international debut in 1993 and was a mainstay in the English batting lineup throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. His illustrious career spanned 100 Test matches in which he scored 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66, including 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His highest Test score was an unbeaten 200.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Thorpe amassed 2,380 runs at an average of 37.18, with 21 half-centuries. He played in two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, contributing significantly in the 1996 edition in Sri Lanka and the 1999 edition held in multiple locations, including England.
Thorpe achieved his highest ranking in the ICC Test batting rankings as No. 3 ahead of England’s tour of the West Indies in 1998. His peak ODI ranking was No. 10.
After retiring from international cricket in 2005, Thorpe took on coaching roles with New South Wales, Surrey, and the England Men’s team. He was instrumental as a batting coach in England’s setup throughout the 2010s and was part of the coaching staff that led England to victory in the thrilling 2019 World Cup on home soil.
Thorpe was appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach in March 2022 but was unable to take up the position due to his illness.
Thorpe’s legacy as both a player and coach remains significant in the cricketing world, with his contributions celebrated by teammates, fans, and the wider cricket community. His passing leaves a profound void in the sport.
