The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday the passing of former England cricketer and coach Graham Thorpe at the age of 55. In a statement, the ECB expressed profound shock and sorrow, stating that there were no words to adequately describe their grief. Thorpe, one of England’s finest batters, was widely admired by fans worldwide and held a special place within the cricket family. His exceptional skill was undeniable, and his accomplishments throughout his 13-year international career brought immense joy to his teammates, England supporters, and Surrey CCC fans alike.
Thorpe’s impact extended beyond his playing career. As a coach, he guided some of England’s top male talent to remarkable victories across various formats of the game. The cricket world is mourning his loss today, and condolences have been sent to his wife Amanda, children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Thorpe’s extraordinary contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.
Thorpe played 100 Test matches for England between 1993 and 2005, in addition to 82 one-day internationals. A stylish left-handed batsman, he accumulated 6,744 Test runs for England, including 16 centuries. He also played 189 first-class matches for Surrey, scoring 49 first-class centuries with an average of 45.04 before retiring in 2005. After retiring from playing, Thorpe transitioned into coaching, beginning his journey in Australia where he nurtured talents like Steve Smith and David Warner at New South Wales. In 2010, he joined the England coaching staff as a batting coach and most recently served as assistant coach during the disastrous Ashes tour last winter. England’s 4-0 defeat led to a management overhaul, resulting in the dismissal of Thorpe, head coach Chris Silverwood, and director of cricket Ashley Giles as the England and Wales Cricket Board sought to rebuild its Test team.
