R.I.P Graham Thorpe

Dreadfully sad news that former England batsman Graham Thorpe has passed away at 55.

Taken far, far too soon. Sincerest condolences to friends and family at such a sad time.

R.I.P.

He was one of our best ever batsmen. A left hander who played for Surrey and went on to get 100 caps for England. RIP

I was at Trent Bridge on day 1 of his debut Test against Australia in 1993. He score only 6 runs that day, but showed his class in the 2nd innings with an unbeaten century which set up a rare declaration in an era that England took a regular pasting. The match was drawn, but was the start of an outstanding career.
I would say he was a player who would be 1st name on the team sheet throughout his time, it took the emergence of KP in 2005 to end a fantastic Test Match career.
His Test best came at Christchurch where he made 200 not out off 231 balls in a match that England went on to win.
Highlights came in 2001-2 with tons at Lahore & Colombo, in series that England gain memorable wins in Pakistan & Sri Lanka in testing conditions against great bowling attacks.
He was a brave batsman equally good against pace, but in an era of Warne & Mulali he played them as well as anyone.
He was renowned as an accumulator, I can remember innings were he would get to 50 with very few boundaries. As batting coach he played a part in the career of Root, he no doubt admired to way that Joe manipulated the field with ones & twos similar to himself.
Having checked up on his ODI career I was surprised to see his best score was 89 from 82 matches, probably more to do with him batting in the middle-order that anything else.
So sad that he has been taken far to early. In 2022 when he was taken ill, he was unable to start his role as Head Coach of Afghanistan, it would've been interesting to see what inpact he would've made on their batting, an area they still need to improve.

RIP Thorpey

Batting Legend

One of the most wonderful stylish batsmen and often frustrated bowlers when he got settled and he certainly played his part in rescuing England when in deep trouble. some of his innings were masterful and stylish.

Cricket has lost a talen and a real mentor. RIP

https://x.com/bbctms/status/1822917403086327996

sad news from the family is that he took his own life he had been suffering from depression

That makes it more sadder than normal I remember Marcus Trescothick dealt with depression & Mental issues and can only think & imagine what Thorpey went through once his career ended and wonder how much support the MCC has in place for ex players.

There was a train involved

Bloody hell that makes it evern more sad.

The MCC & ECB and administrations right across cricket itself need to up their game and confront this head on. We need to see current players from all nations speak out and highlight any presssures and axieties they are dealing with both playing and when away from cricket, and ex players add their voices and appeal for the support they need from those who run the game. But where do they start?

RIP