The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced the death of former England batter Graham Thorpe MBE at the age of 55.
Thorpe won 100 Test caps during a stellar England career and was regarded as one of the best batters of his generation with his international exploits running alongside a 17-year spell with his county side Surrey.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away,” the ECB said.
It added: “There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death. More than one of England’s finest ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.
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
“His skill was unquestioned and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his team-mates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike.
“Later, as a coach, he guided the best England Men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.
“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”
During an era of English cricket that is most often remembered for its lean years, Graham Thorpe established himself as a player with the class and calibre to stand above the crowd.
Most England fans might happily forget the 90s entirely were it not for the emergence of Thorpe who burst onto the scene in 1993 with an Ashes century on Test debut and bowed out with a hundred caps to his name 12 years later.
Such longevity was an achievement in itself at a time when team selection often appeared to be determined by lucky dip and the left-hander played a variety of roles during his time at the top.
Running the gamut from stylish newcomer to grizzled veteran Thorpe proved himself a dependably elite performer in an environment where chaos and collapse never seemed far away.
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