Former England and Surrey batter Graham Thorpe has passed away at the age of 55, as announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Thorpe had a distinguished career, playing 100 Test matches for England between 1993 and 2005, and also featuring in 82 one-day internationals.
A stylish left-handed batsman, Thorpe amassed 6,744 Test runs for England, including 16 centuries, with an average of 44.66.
“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death,” the ECB said in a statement.
“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.
“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.”
Thorpe spent his entire first-class playing career at Surrey, whom he represented from 1988 to 2005.
Surrey chair Oli Slipper said Thorpe “is one of the great sons” of the county and “there is an overwhelming sadness that he will not walk through the gates of the Oval again”.
Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy added: “He achieved remarkable feats for club and country and was a hero to so many cricket fans.”
Thorpe scored an unbeaten 114 in the second innings of his Test debut against Australia in 1993 and achieved his Test best with a score of 200 not out against New Zealand in 2002.
After retiring from playing in 2005, he began his coaching career in Australia with New South Wales and later joined the England coaching team, where he worked from 2010 to 2022.
In March 2022, Thorpe was appointed head coach of Afghanistan. However, he was hospitalized with a serious illness before he could assume his role with the team.
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