Former English cricketer Graham Thorpe passes away

LONDON: Legendary English cricketer Graham Thorpe passed away at the age of 55, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Monday. He had been undergoing treatment for a serious disease since 2022. A left-handed batsman and right-handed bowler, Thorpe played 100 Tests and 82 ODIs for England in a twelve-year international career.

Thorpe, who performed exceptionally well for Surrey at the domestic level, played 341 First Class, 354 List A and 5 Twenty20 matches. He had served as the batting coach and interim head coach of the England cricket team. Although Thorpe was appointed as Afghanistan's head coach in 2022, he fell ill before taking up the position.

Thorpe made his debut in the English jersey on May 19, 1993, in the ODI against Australia in Manchester. He also made his Test debut against Australia in July that year. He scored a century (114 not out) in the second innings on his Test debut. His best performance in Tests was 200 not out against New Zealand in 2002. He scored 6744 runs in Tests, including 16 centuries, at an average of 44.66. He scored 2380 runs in ODIs, averaging 37.18. He retired after his 100th Test against Bangladesh in 2005.

Thorpe lived in Surrey with his second wife Amanda. He has three children- Henry, Amelia and Emma.