Graham Thorpe, who was acclaimed as one of England’s premier cricketers, has passed away at 55, prompting a flood of tributes for the former England batsman. The England Wales Cricket Board revealed Thorpe’s demise on Monday morning, following the news in 2022 that he was gravely ill in hospital.
In his illustrious international career, Thorpe earned 16 Test hundreds for England, featuring a maiden century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993. He donned the England jersey in a total of 182 matches, showcasing his skill in all formats.
Present England Test players like Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Ben Duckett paid homage to Thorpe on social media platforms, while Stuart Broad praised him as a “remarkable individual”. In addition to being a former Surrey star, Thorpe had acted as a coach for England between 2010 and 2022.
David Gower, former skipper of England, recollected Thorpe’s memorable innings of 64 not out at Karachi in 2000 during a Sky Sports interview. Thorpe was considered a crucial part of England’s series win against Pakistan, which occurred after a substantial gap. Gower recounted how the match was played under pitch-black conditions, with TV camera technology being the only means of keeping track of the game.
Thrope’s debut match is remembered for his hundred against Australia in the Ashes at Trent Bridge in 1993, establishing his worth quickly, and, as Gower mentioned, demonstrating his skill under all conditions.
Shaun Udal, who had played with Thorpe for England, also reminisced about the intrigue surrounding the left-handed batsman’s formative years. Udal, a former cricketer for Hampshire and England, recognized him as a steadfast, skilled, and resolute player.
Usage data indicates that Thorpe was with Surrey for 17 years as a player and resumed his association with the club as a batting coach in 2008, before taking up various coaching duties with England. He was lauded as one of the top performers produced by England, thanks to his ability to excel in all conditions, regardless of the adversary.
A standout cricket player, he left a formidable mark on his debut against Australia with a score of a hundred runs. Such an unfortunate situation, yet he remains remembered as an exceptional cricketer. His record is among the finest we’ve ever witnessed, standing tall amongst the greatest. Be it under distressing conditions, you’d want him to bat fourth or fifth. Whether facing a spinning pitch in Sri Lanka or a swift, bouncy Australian pitch, he was always the right choice. His resolute commitment to succeeding for his country was pronounced. He was incredibly kind-hearted, extremely generous with his time, and a truly decent personality.
Michael Vaughan, an ex-England captain who shared the dressing room with Thorpe, posted on X: “Rest in peace, Thorpey. I’m deeply grateful for all the guidance throughout my career. You were not only an exceptional player but also a remarkable team-mate. Your departure is untimely but your legacy as an England cricketing hero remains alive.”