The cricketing world was stunned by the tragic news of Graham Thorpe's passing on Monday. A stalwart of England's batting line-up for over a decade, Thorpe's elegant strokeplay and unwavering determination made him a fan favorite.
His Test career, spanning 100 matches, was adorned with 16 centuries, a testament to his class and consistency. A century on debut against Australia highlighted his precocious talent, while a double hundred against New Zealand showcased his mastery. Thorpe's ability to adapt to varying conditions and his penchant for crucial innings cemented his status as one of England's all-time greats.
Beyond his playing days, Thorpe's influence continued to shape the next generation of English batters. As a coach, he imparted his wisdom and expertise, playing a pivotal role in the development of several world-class players. His untimely demise is an immense loss to the cricket fraternity, and his legacy as a player and mentor will be cherished for years to come.
“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,” 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 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.”
Thorpe made his international debut for England against Australia in Manchester on May 19, 1993. His first red-ball match for the Poms was also against the Aussies in Nottingham on July 1 during the 1993 Ashes series. He scored a century (114*) in the second innings of his debut match as a No. 7 batter.
During his 12-year-long Test career, Thorpe amassed a total of 6744 runs for the English team. His career-best score was 200 runs, which he made against New Zealand during a Test match played in Christchurch from March 14 to 18 in 2002.
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