The iconic English cricketer Graham Thorpe has passed away at the age of 55, with Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes at the forefront of tributes paid to the former England batsman.
Making his international debut in 1993, Thorpe scored a century in his first Ashes appearance, a feat not achieved by an England player in 20 years.
He quickly became a mainstay for England, amassing 100 Test caps, 16 centuries, and playing 82 One Day Internationals, while also enjoying a distinguished 17-year stint with Surrey.
His last Test match occurred in June 2005, and he subsequently stepped away from the international scene, missing out on the Ashes series that summer. Thorpe is survived by his wife Amanda and their four children: Henry, Amelia, Kitty, and Emma.
Vaughan, who captained Thorpe towards the end of his Test career, expressed his sadness on X: ‘RIP Thorpey. I am grateful for all the guidance you provided throughout my career; you were both an outstanding player and a fantastic teammate. Your departure is felt deeply, but you will be remembered as a cricketing legend… My thoughts are with everyone who knew Thorpey and his family xxx.’
Stokes shared his grief on social media, posting five heart emojis alongside a photo of Thorpe wearing the number 564, which represented his Test cap.
Graham Thorpe during an England nets session at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2022
Graham Thorpe with his wife Amanda, children Kitty, then three, and Emma, then 20 months old, at his MBE investiture at Buckingham Palace in London on July 12, 2007
Graham Thorpe, pictured playing for England on August 15, 2004, has died at the age of 55
Current England opener Ben Duckett shared his sorrow on X: ‘It’s heartbreaking to hear of Thorpe’s passing. He was one of my childhood heroes, and I was fortunate to have worked alongside him. My thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.’
A message from the England and Wales Cricket Board stated: ‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Graham Thorpe, MBE.
‘Words cannot express the shock we feel at the news of Graham’s death.
‘More than being one of England’s finest batsmen, he was a cherished member of the cricket community and held in high regard by fans worldwide.
‘His talent was undeniable, and his contributions during a 13-year international career brought joy to his teammates, as well as supporters of England and Surrey CCC.
‘Later in his career, as a coach, he nurtured England’s elite talents, achieving remarkable victories across different formats of the game.
Thorpe at a Surrey County Cricket Club photocall at the Oval in London on April 5, 2005
Graham Thorpe holds a beer with Mark Butcher on April 3, 2004
Graham Thorpe celebrates winning the Test series on June 13, 2004
‘The cricket community is in mourning today. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Amanda, children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this immensely challenging time. Graham’s extraordinary contributions to the sport will always be cherished.’
Post-retirement, Thorpe continued to engage with the sport by moving to New South Wales, where he worked with young talents like Steve Smith and David Warner.
He returned to the England setup from 2010 to 2022.
Thorpe found himself in charge during a Test in Sydney after Chris Silverwood contracted coronavirus, achieving a dramatic draw that prevented what seemed like an inevitable Ashes defeat.
Steve Elworthy, Surrey’s chief executive, said: ‘The news of Graham’s passing has left everyone at the club heartbroken. His contributions to both club and country were remarkable, and he was adored by countless cricket fans.
Thorpe (right) with England’s Nasser Hussain (left) and Michael Atherton (centre) in 2000
Thorpe leaves the field after scoring his century during the fourth day of the third Test Match between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 13, 2004
England batsman Graham Thorpe (right) with Geraint Jones (left) on March 27, 2004
‘Our condolences and thoughts are with Graham’s family and friends, and we are prepared to provide any support we can. We kindly request that the privacy of the family is respected during this extremely challenging time.’
Thorpe’s former club, Surrey, also honored him as one of their ‘greatest sons’.
Chair Oli Slipper remarked: ‘He is a true legend of Surrey, and he brought immense pride to the Club while donning both the Three Feathers and the Three Lions.
‘Thorpe made significant contributions to the club, both as a cricketer and as an individual, and his absence will be deeply felt.’
During his career, Thorpe averaged an impressive 44.7 runs in Test matches.
He achieved a top score of 200 not out and also played in 77 One Day Internationals.
One of his most remarkable Test innings occurred in 2000 against Pakistan in Karachi when, after a disastrous collapse from the hosts, Thorpe delivered an unbeaten 64 runs in fading light, securing England’s first series victory in Pakistan for 39 years and ending Pakistan’s 35-year unbeaten run at the National Stadium.
England batting coach Graham Thorpe and Joe Root on August 20, 2019
Graham Thorpe on December 16, 2005
Thorpe at a signing for his book ‘Rising from the Ashes’ in Chelmsford in September 2005
‘I remember it was completely dark about five to ten minutes after we finished playing,’ Thorpe recounted to Cricket Monthly. ‘From the dressing room, walking back onto the balcony, it was pitch black.
‘We popped open lemonade bottles, as drinking was prohibited in Pakistan. That evening, we flew back to Dubai, where we enjoyed a few Guinnesses. We had about a two-hour turnaround from the conclusion of the match, back to the hotel and off to the airport for our flight.’
Thorpe accumulated over 2,000 runs in the shorter formats, and his intellect and leadership facilitated a seamless transition into coaching after his retirement in 2006.
He began his coaching career in Australia, mentoring the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner in New South Wales, before later joining the England and Wales Cricket Board as a batting coach.
Graham Thorpe on December 29, 2004
Graham Thorpe at his MBE Investiture at Buckingham Palace in London on July 12, 2007
England’s Joe Root (right) talks with Thorpe during the Ashes in Sydney on January 9, 2022
Served as assistant to the senior squad under Trevor Bayliss and Chris Silverwood, Thorpe took the helm during this winter’s Sydney Test against Australia due to Silverwood’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
His role as England assistant coach faced scrutiny following an incident during the Ashes where police were called to the team hotel due to a late-night gathering.
Despite this untimely conclusion to his England coaching journey, he remains highly respected by players and fans alike.
In May, the Professional Cricketers’ Association reported that Thorpe had become gravely ill with an unspecified condition. The cause of his passing has not yet been disclosed.
Graham Thorpe obituary: Classy batter who helped carry England during the lean 1990s
By Rory Dollard
Throughout an era of English cricket often characterized by hardship, Graham Thorpe distinguished himself as a player of exceptional skill and capability.
Most England fans might wish to put the 90s behind them altogether were it not for Thorpe’s emergence, who made an indelible mark by scoring a century in his Ashes debut in 1993 and leaving the game with 100 caps a dozen years later.
His longevity in the sport was a remarkable achievement at a time when team selections were erratic, and the left-handed batsman assumed various roles throughout his career.
From a stylish newcomer to a seasoned veteran, Thorpe – who passed away at 55 – consistently showcased elite performance in a tumultuous environment.
In a period of Australian dominance, his ability to score more against Australia than his overall average (45.74 vs. 44.66) underscored his capability to rise to the occasion.
Thorpe’s off-the-field struggles were often deeper. Navigating the pressures of international stardom, he faced issues like depression, divorce, and addiction, ultimately leading him to step away from the game at what could have been the peak of his career.
As he notably expressed in his autobiography, Rising from the Ashes: “I would have traded all my Test runs and caps for a chance to be happy again.”
There was an uplifting comeback highlighted by an emotional century at the Oval and subsequently a significant role in the international coaching structure.
Survived by his wife Amanda and four children: Henry, Amelia, Kitty, and Emma.
Born on August 1, 1969, in Farnham – a mere hour from The Oval – Thorpe demonstrated early promise on the cricket pitch, recalling being called up to local Under-17s at just eight years old.
Even without a bat in hand initially, he demonstrated a talent for catching, an indicator of the prowess that led to him earning over 600 career catches.
Surrey recognized his potential and signed him at the under-11 level, despite interest from Brentford Football Club for football trials.
Although he showcased enough talent to be picked by England Schools in football, Thorpe ultimately chose cricket, becoming one of the nation’s finest players against spin. A past sweeper had become a future star.
Thorpe is remembered as England’s premier left-handed batter since David Gower, including a notable moment on his first-class debut against Leicestershire when he took Gower’s wicket bowling medium pace.
He starred on the emerging England ‘A’ circuit for four years before making his senior debut, first in ODIs and then fabulously in Test matches.
Selected for the third match of the 1993 Ashes at Trent Bridge, he was dismissed by Merv Hughes in his first innings but struck a magnificent 114 not out in his second, making him England’s first debutant centurion in 20 years.
He joined three others in receiving his cap in Nottingham, while he managed to play 100 matches, unlike Mark Lathwell, Mark Ilott, and Martin McCague, who collectively only made 10 appearances. Few could claim such longevity as Thorpe, and even fewer could claim his reliability.
Despite having the potential for more centuries, his quality was indisputable.
He achieved his first overseas century on the challenging Gabba pitch in Perth, another against the formidable pace duo of Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh in Barbados, and a resilient 64 not out in Karachi, cementing England’s first series win in Pakistan for 39 years.
However, the demands of touring and a troubled marriage to his first wife Nicky played out in the tabloids, resulting in his ODI retirement in 2002 before a turbulent withdrawal from a subsequent tour to Australia.
Despite past turbulence, Thorpe earned back his position for the last Test against South Africa, welcomed as a hero as he scored 124 amidst adoring crowds.
Thorpe’s playing career did not extend into the celebrated 2005 Ashes, as he was replaced by Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen, leading to his retirement. However, he left behind a proud legacy, becoming just the eighth Englishman to reach 100 Test caps.
He remained involved with cricket after his retirement, relocating to New South Wales, where he mentored budding talents like Steve Smith and David Warner, later returning to work with England from 2010 to 2022.
Thorpe undertook leadership of the English squad during a Test in Sydney after Chris Silverwood was incapacitated by COVID-19, securing a nail-biting draw to avert a series loss.
The last chapter of his time with the team included an incident that ended with police intervention during a late-night gathering which caught public attention.
This hiccup did not overshadow his brilliance with the bat, and he remained a much-beloved figure among fans and players.
In May, the Professional Cricketers’ Association announced that Thorpe had been severely ill with an undisclosed condition. His cause of death remains unconfirmed.
