Michael Vaughan, a former England captain, along with current Test skipper Ben Stokes, have paid tribute to Graham Thorpe following his passing at 55 years old.
The news of the revered cricketer’s death on Monday morning prompted an outpouring of condolences from his former teammates, his old county Surrey, and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Vaughan, who was captain during the latter part of Thorpe’s Test career, expressed gratitude for the advice he received from the left-handed batsman throughout his career, and extended his thoughts to Thorpe’s family.
‘RIP Thorpey,’ Vaughan wrote on X. ‘Thank you for all the guidance during my career; you were an exceptional player and a wonderful teammate. You’ve departed far too soon but leave behind a legacy as an England cricket legend… My thoughts are with everyone who knew Thorpey and his family xxx.’
Stokes shared five heart emojis alongside a photograph of Thorpe wearing his Test cap number, 564.
Surrey, Thorpe’s former county, honored him as one of their ‘great sons’.
Chair Oli Slipper stated: ‘He was a legend for Surrey, taking immense pride in representing both the club and the England team.’
‘His impact as both a cricketer and a person was immense, and he will be greatly missed.’
Steve Elworthy, the chief executive of Surrey, expressed: ‘The news of Graham’s passing has left everyone at the club heartbroken. His achievements on the field for both club and country were phenomenal, making him a hero to countless cricket enthusiasts.
‘Our thoughts and condolences go out to Graham’s family and friends. We are committed to offering any necessary support and kindly request that everyone respect the family’s privacy during this challenging time.’
Shaun Udal, a former England and Hampshire bowler, praised Thorpe as a ‘great player and human’.
‘This is devastating news about Graham Thorpe. I’ve played with and against this little legend since I was 10. He was a fantastic player and a wonderful person; my thoughts are with his family and friends x,’ he remarked.
Derek Pringle, another former teammate of Thorpe’s, noted the batsman’s brilliance, stating: ‘Graham Thorpe battled his demons, but today is especially heartbreaking… RIP Thorpey, a wonderful cricketer and teammate.’
Throughout his career, Thorpe played exactly 100 Tests and achieved 16 centuries before retiring in 2005.
He maintained an impressive average of 44.7 runs in Test matches, with a highest score of an unbeaten 200. Additionally, he played 77 One Day Internationals.
Among his most remarkable Test innings was in 2000 against Pakistan in Karachi, where he scored an unbeaten 64 in near darkness, leading England to their first series win in Pakistan in 39 years, and marking Pakistan’s first loss at the National Stadium in 35 years.
Thorpe amassed over 2,000 runs in the shorter format of the game, showcasing his intelligence and leadership skills that allowed him to transition smoothly into coaching after his retirement in 2006.
He began his coaching career in Australia, working with players like Steve Smith and David Warner at New South Wales, before joining the England and Wales Cricket Board as a batting coach.
He served as an assistant coach with the senior team under Trevor Bayliss and Chris Silverwood, taking charge during the Sydney Test against Australia in the winter due to Silverwood’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
He departed his role at the end of that series and was appointed head coach of Afghanistan in March 2022. Sadly, he could never assume that position due to serious illness. Stokes honored Thorpe by wearing his name and number before a match against New Zealand following this diagnosis.
The Professional Cricket Association released a statement Monday morning expressing their sadness regarding his passing.
‘The PCA is heartbroken to learn of the passing of former Surrey and England legend Graham Thorpe.’ The statement on X read. ‘Our deepest condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.’
Ben Duckett, current England opener, expressed his sorrow on the platform: ‘It’s heartbreaking to learn of Thorpey’s passing. He was a childhood hero for me, and I feel fortunate to have worked alongside him. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this challenging time.’
The ECB issued a statement saying, ‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Graham Thorpe, MBE. We find ourselves at a loss for words to convey the shock we feel at Graham’s death.
‘More than just one of England’s finest batters, he was a cherished member of the cricket family and held in high regard by fans worldwide.
‘His talent was undeniable, and his contributions during a 13-year international career brought immense joy to his teammates and supporters of England and Surrey CCC.’
‘Furthermore, as a coach, he led top England Men’s talents to impressive victories across all formats of cricket.
‘Today, the cricket community mourns. Our deepest sympathies are with his wife Amanda, children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this exceptionally challenging time. We will forever cherish Graham for his remarkable contributions to the sport.’
