Graham Thorpe, a former England batter and coach, has passed away at 55, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board. Thorpe, celebrated as one of his era’s finest batters, played 100 Tests for England. The left-hander, known for his counterattacking style, scored 16 centuries and appeared in 82 ODIs. He also had a 17-year career with Surrey, captaining England three times and serving in various coaching roles from 2010 to 2022.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away,” stated the ECB. “Graham was not just one of England’s greatest batters; he was a beloved member of the cricket family, respected by fans worldwide.” Thorpe’s 13-year international career brought joy to teammates and supporters, and as a coach, he led England’s men’s team to numerous victories in all game formats.
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.
There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death. pic.twitter.com/VMXqxVJJCh
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2024
The cricket community is mourning this loss. Condolences go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all his family and friends during this difficult time. His contributions to cricket will always be remembered.
England Test captain Ben Stokes shared heart emojis with a picture on social media, while Joe Root called Thorpe his “hero, mentor, and so much more,” expressing gratitude and sorrow. Stuart Broad posted on Instagram, expressing genuine sadness and recalling childhood memories of watching Thorpe bat.
Thorpe debuted for England in 1993, scoring a century against Australia at Trent Bridge. He quickly became integral to England’s Test and limited-overs teams throughout the 90s and early 2000s. His final Test was against Bangladesh in June 2005, and after being left out of that summer’s Ashes series, he retired from international cricket. With over 6,700 Test runs at an average of nearly 45, he is England’s 10th highest run-scorer.
Michael Vaughan, who captained Thorpe later in his career, described him as “a great player and a brilliant team-mate” who left too soon. Ben Duckett referred to Thorpe as a hero and expressed heartbreak over his passing. David Gower praised Thorpe’s success against all types of bowling and his adaptability across conditions, recalling his significant contributions such as his unbeaten half-century in Karachi in 2000, which secured England’s first series win in Pakistan in 39 years.
Shaun Udal, who played with Thorpe, called him a “little legend.” Surrey’s chief executive Steve Elworthy said the club is devastated by the tragic news, highlighting Thorpe’s remarkable achievements. Dean Headley, who played with Thorpe during the 1997 Ashes, described him as a “warrior in our batting line-up” known for his elegance and style.
After retiring, Thorpe moved to New South Wales, mentoring young talents like Steve Smith and David Warner before returning to England as a batting coach. In 2022, he briefly led the team to a draw in the Sydney Test after head coach Chris Silverwood contracted COVID-19. Thorpe later took up the role of head coach for Afghanistan in July 2022 but fell seriously ill shortly after.