Graham Thorpe Archives

WATCH: England, India pay heartfelt tribute to Graham Thorpe

LONDON: India and England players paid a heartwarming tribute to the late English player Graham Thorpe on day two of the fifth Test at the Oval on Friday.

Thorpe, who represented England in 100 Tests and 82 ODIs, took his own life on August 4, 2024, after a recurring struggle with anxiety and depression.

Graham Thorpe amassed over 6,700 Test runs for England and almost 22,000 across all first-class cricket.

Consequently, day two of the final India Test is celebrated as ‘Day for Thorpey’.

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In a heartfelt tribute to the late Graham Thorpe, headbands were sold to raise money for mental health charity Mind. The tribute was presented at a venue which he called home while playing for Surrey from 1988 to 2005.

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The England players wore headbands in his memory, as he famously wore one during his career.

India is batting in its second essay and is leading by 32 runs with Sai Sudharsan and Yashaswi Jaiswal on the crease.

Earlier, India bundled out England for 247-9 runs with Harry Brook top scoring with 53 off 64 balls. Chris Woakes was unable to bat due to a shoulder injury sustained on the opening day, which ruled him out of the rest of the match.

For India, Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took four wickets each on a pitch favourable for seam bowlers.

England lost their way in pursuit of India’s first innings total of 224 runs despite having a solid opening partnership of 92 runs.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett added 92 runs for the first wicket in just 12.5 overs. With this stand, the opening pair surpassed Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss to record the most runs as a pair against India.

However, Akash Deep ended the brisk opening stand with Ben Duckett, who fell after making 42 off 38 balls with the aid of two maximums and five fours.

Following the wicket, India sensed an opening and struck at regular intervals to put breaks on England’s charge, eventually the home side finishing 29 runs ahead of India’s total.

READ: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley break England’s longstanding record against India

Ben Stokes braced for ’emotional’ tribute to late Graham Thorpe

Ben Stokes is preparing himself for an “emotional” tribute to Graham Thorpe when the late former England batter is honoured during this week’s fifth and deciding Test against India at the Oval.

Thorpe took his own life on August 4, 2024, having battled depression and anxiety for several years, with police confirming he had died following an incident on a railway line near his home.

The left-handed batsman, who spent his entire professional career in south London with Oval-based Surrey, scored 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 in 100 matches from 1993 to 2005.

He later held various coaching positions, including a role as England’s batting chief, where he worked with current players such as Test captain Stokes and Joe Root.

A Day for Thorpey will be held on Friday, August 1, in support of mental health charity Mind on what would have been his 56th birthday.

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“Thorpey’s been a very influential character as a player and a coach in English cricket,” Stokes told reporters at the Oval on Wednesday.

“A few of us in that dressing room spent a lot of time with him coming through the ranks and, as we got into the main (England) team, Thorpey spent a lot of years around us.”

The all-rounder, who will miss the Oval finale because of a shoulder injury, added: “It’s going to be a special day for all English fans, a special day for his family to see how much he meant to English cricket and how much he means to the current England dressing room.”

Coroner Jonathan Stevens recorded an official verdict of suicide at an inquest last week but said there had been “shortcomings in the care” provided to the retired cricketer in his final months.

The fifth Test at the Oval starts on Thursday, with England 2-1 up in the series.

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Joe Root dedicates record-equalling century to late Graham Thorpe

England batter Joe Root paid an emotional tribute to the late Graham Thorpe after scoring a milestone 33rd Test hundred against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on Thursday, saying much of his success was down to the impact of his former coach.

His innings meant Root equalled Alastair Cook’s record for the most Test hundreds by an England batter after he came in with the side faltering at 42-2 on the first day of the second Test.

Root immediately pointed to the sky after reaching three figures in a gesture in memory of former England batter and assistant coach Thorpe, who died aged 55 earlier this month after taking his own life.

A deeply moved Joe Root, whose composed 143 helped England reach 358-7 at stumps, told reporters: “I’ve been very lucky to work with a lot of people, whether it be senior players, coaches, mentors, and Thorpey was one of those people who offered me so much.

“It was nice to be able to think of him [Graham Thorpe] in that moment. He’s someone I’m sorely going to miss, and who I owe a lot to. He put a lot into my game and my career, and without his help, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Graham Thorpe, who won exactly 100 Test caps, was widely regarded as the best England batsman of his generation. The stylish left-hander was also one of the first to recognise Root’s talent.

“Before I’d even made a hundred at first-class level he picked me for an England Lions (A team) game against Sri Lanka at Scarborough,” said Root.

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“He saw something with me… He pushed very hard for me to be involved in that India tour where I made my debut (in 2012) and from that point onwards we worked together.”

Root added: “It evolved into more than that, we became good friends and I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with him. It was nice to pay a small tribute. He means a lot to me and that was a small thank you.”

Root’s innings revived England after Sri Lanka’s gamble in bowling first under blue skies and on a good batting pitch almost paid dividends.

England were faltering at 212-6 but Root’s century allied to Gus Atkinson’s Test-best 74 not out boosted the total after several top-order batsmen gave their wickets away.

Joe Root, eventually out to his trademark reverse ramp, came in after Ollie Pope was dismissed for just one — his third single-figure score since deputising as captain for the injured Ben Stokes.

Pope admitted he was finding it tough to balance the demands of batting and leadership after twice being out for six in an otherwise successful debut as skipper during England’s five-wicket win in last week’s first Test at Old Trafford.

But, with the home team 1-0 up in a three-match series, former England captain Root insisted: “I don’t think there’s anything for Ollie to worry about… He should keep doing exactly what he’s doing.”

Root added: “You know someone like him with his talent ability and his mindset, it won’t be long before he scores a big score.”

READ: First day of second Pakistan-Bangladesh Test called off due to rain

Ollie Pope hails Graham Thorpe as a ‘great man’ ahead of Old Trafford tribute

Stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope said Graham Thorpe was a “great man” as English cricket prepared to honour the stylish run-scorer before Wednesday’s start of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

Thorpe, widely regarded as the outstanding England batsman of his generation, died aged 55 earlier this month after being hit by a train, with his wife Amanda confirming he had taken his own life having suffered from depression for several years.

Before the first of a three-match series gets underway, the giant screens at Old Trafford will show a series of videos recalling Thorpe’s career.

There will also be a minute’s applause, with England wearing black armbands in Thorpe’s memory for the duration of the Test.

It will be the first time the side have publicly honoured Graham Thorpe, who later became an England assistant coach since his death sent shockwaves throughout the world of cricket.

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For Ollie Pope, who has followed in Thorpe’s footsteps at both Surrey and England and will be captaining his country for the first time in the absence of the injured Ben Stokes, it promises to be a particularly poignant occasion.

“We’ll have our black armbands on throughout the course of the game and there’ll be a tribute to him before the game,” he said during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“It’s hurt a lot of people in that changing room. He was a great man. I probably had two or three years playing with him as a batting coach and, as a person, I really admired him.”

The 26-year-old Pope added: “I always remember him saying one thing to me which was, ‘Never let the runs you’re scoring define you as a person’. When you’re young, in a bit of a rut, that was exactly what I needed to hear.

“It shows for me what a people’s person he was. He was loved in the changing room. He’s such a sad loss to everyone, to the country, his family and the boys as well. He’s missed and we’ll honour him this week.”

READ: Toss of first Pakistan-Bangladesh Test delayed due to wet outfield

Graham Thorpe’s family reveals the cause of his death

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe tragically passed away last week. However, the cause of his death was not disclosed then. His family has now revealed the cause of his death on Monday.

During an interview with The Times, Thorpe’s wife Amanda and daughters, Kitty and Emma revealed that the former batter killed himself after a longstanding battle with depression.

His wife revealed that in May 2022, Thorpe attempted suicide as a result of his ongoing mental health challenges. While he initially responded well to treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate over time.

“For the past couple of years, Graham had been suffering from major depression and anxiety. This led him to make a serious attempt on his life in May 2022, which resulted in a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit,” Amanda shared.

“Despite glimpses of hope and of the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times got very severe.

“We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments but unfortunately, none of them really seemed to work.”

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Amanda stressed the importance of acknowledging the severity of mental illness. She pointed out that despite being strong and healthy physically, the former batter was unable to conquer his mental health challenges.

“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health,” Amanda said.

“But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone. Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better.

“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”

The left-handed batter represented England in 100 Test matches and 82 ODIs from 1993 to 2002.

During his 11-year-long career, he scored 6744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 with 16 centuries. Meanwhile, in ODI cricket, he scored 2380 runs at 37.18 with 21 half-centuries.

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Former England batter Graham Thorpe passes away at 55

Former England batter Graham Thorpe passed away at the age of 55 after battling an illness for nearly two years on Monday. The left-handed batter represented England in 100 Test matches and 82 ODIs from 1993 to 2002.

During his 11-year-long career, he scored 6744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 with 16 centuries. Meanwhile, in ODI cricket, he scored 2380 runs at 37.18 with 21 half-centuries.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the passing of Thorpe through a press release.

”It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away,” the ECB said in a statement. ”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.

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“His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates 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.”

After retiring from cricket, Thorpe took on the role of batting coach and assistant coach for the England men’s cricket team.

He had been lined up to become Afghanistan’s head coach in 2022, but unfortunately, he was unable to take on the new position as he was hospitalized due to an illness.

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