LONDON (AP) — Former England test batter Graham Thorpe has died, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday. He was 55.
A stylish and fluid top-order batter, Thorpe played 100 tests for England from 1993 to 2005.
He scored 16 hundreds, including on debut against Australia at Trent Bridge.
His 6,744 runs came at a sterling average of 44.66 at a time when England was struggling. But the gritty, left-handed Thorpe was key to England's gradual improvement. He was also capped 82 times in one-day internationals for 2,380 runs.
Thorpe was considered to be at his peak in the winter of 2000-01 on tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
His 118 with two boundaries in the first test in Lahore set up a series decider in Karachi that he clinched in near darkness with an unbeaten 64. It was England's first test series win against Pakistan in Pakistan since 1961.
Pakistan bowler Waqar Younis, who played in that Karachi test, wrote on X, “I lost my younger brother and a best friend today Graham Thorpe (Chorky). A very Sad day of my life. We'll miss you dearly brother. Condolences to the family and friends.”
Wasim Akram, Pakistan's leading wicket-taker, also wrote on X: “Deeply saddened by the shocking news of the passing of dear friend Graham Thorpe ... He was a gentleman to the core, a very genuinely honest, passionate guy and the best left-handed batter I bowled to.”
Three months later in Colombo, Thorpe's 113 not out and 32 not out led England to a comeback series victory against Sri Lanka. It was the first time England came back to win a three-test series after losing the first game since 1888.
“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham's death," the ECB said in a statement. “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 supporters alike.
"Later, as a coach, he guided the best England men's talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.”
Thorpe started coaching in New South Wales, Australia. He later became a batting coach and assistant coach of the England men for a decade. In 2022, he became seriously ill, without elaborating, soon after he was named as the Afghanistan coach.
Former spinner Shaun Udal played with and against Thorpe from the age of 10 all the way into the England side.
“He was such a tenacious, talented and determined cricketer. Even coming up through the age groups at 10 or 11, he was always the star man,” Udal told Sky Sports. "He is one of the best we’ve ever produced and his stats stand up against the best. If you were in a crisis, he was the man you wanted to be batting at four or five. Whether it be on a turning pitch in Sri Lanka or a fast, bouncy one in Australia, he was your man.
"He was so determined to do well for his country and was a lovely man, very kind-hearted and generous with his time.”
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FILE -England's coach Graham Thorpe arrives for their training session at the Gabba ahead of the first Ashes cricket test in Brisbane, Australia, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File)
