Graham Thorpe, the former England and Surrey cricketer, has passed away at the age of 55, as confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Thorpe, renowned for his prolific career as a batter, played 100 Test matches for England from 1993 to 2005. He also served as a coach for the national team and was briefly appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach before his illness in 2022.
During his distinguished playing career, Thorpe accumulated 6,744 runs in Test matches, including 16 centuries, and appeared in 82 One-Day Internationals. He spent his entire county career with Surrey, amassing nearly 20,000 runs.
The ECB expressed profound sadness at Thorpe’s passing, highlighting his contributions both as a player and a coach. “Graham Thorpe was one of England’s finest batters, beloved by fans and colleagues alike,” the ECB statement read. “His skills and achievements brought joy to many, and his impact on the sport will always be remembered.”
Thorpe joined the ECB as lead batting coach in 2010 and was instrumental in England’s 2019 Men’s World Cup victory. Despite his departure from the coaching staff after the 2021-22 Ashes series, his legacy in the cricketing world remains significant.
Surrey Cricket Club also mourned Thorpe’s death, with chairman Oli Slipper and chief executive Steve Elworthy praising his remarkable contributions to the club and the sport. “Graham was a hero to many, and his loss is deeply felt by everyone at Surrey,” said Elworthy.
Thorpe’s career highlights include a debut century against Australia in 1993 and memorable series victories in Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the 2000-01 season. His final Test appearance was his 100th cap, marking the end of a celebrated international career.
Thorpe’s passing is a significant loss to cricket, and his memory will be cherished by fans, teammates, and the cricketing community.
