LONDON: Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe has died aged 55 after battling illness for almost two years, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Monday.
Thorpe, 55, represented England in 182 internationals including 100 Tests and 82 ODIs and worked with the team as their batting coach. In 2022, he was appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach, but was unable to continue as he was taken to hospital due to a “serious illness”.
“There seem to be no adequate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death.”
”More than one of England’s greatest ever batsmen, he was a beloved member of the cricketing family and revered by fans around the world. His skills were unquestionable and his ability and achievements during a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his team-mates and England and Surrey CCC fans alike.
”The cricket world is mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, his father Geoff and all his family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. Graham will always be remembered for his extraordinary contribution to the sport.”
Thorpe scored a hundred on his debut against Australia in 1993 and became one of England’s most important batsmen in red-ball cricket during the 1990s and early 2000s.
He was supposed to become the head coach of Afghanistan in 2022, but he was hospitalized due to illness.
After being admitted to hospital, England Test captain Ben Stokes wore a T-shirt bearing Thorpe’s name during the toss in his first match as captain against New Zealand at Lord’s.
