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.”
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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)
Alex Ovechkin scoring his 895th career goal to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record reverberated quickly around hockey, sports and the rest of the world.
Here are some of the reactions:
“It was my honor to hold the National Hockey League goals record for the last three decades. I now am delighted to pass that honor to a man who truly was born to put the puck in the net and who has played our game with remarkable passion and power. I forever will be grateful for the way my idol, Gordie Howe, congratulated me upon breaking his record in 1994. And I am thrilled that I could be in attendance to share this moment with you, Alex, as you now are the leading goal-scorer in NHL history.” — Wayne Gretzky
“Alex Ovechkin has been an unstoppable force from the moment he entered the NHL in 2005 — a unique package of effervescent personality, dynamic physicality and other-worldly talent for shooting the puck. His passion for winning is matched only by his incredible ability to score goals. And today, he stands alone.” — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
"You are an amazing goal-scorer. I’ve watched you for years and admired your skill and your competitiveness. To reach this milestone and pass Wayne Gretzky, which is something nobody thought possible, truly is special. — Mark Howe, son of Gordie Howe
“With 895 goals to Alex’s name, ALL scored wearing a Capitals jersey, the GR8 Chase is officially over… and what a journey it’s been! (Ovechkin’s) accomplishments as an athlete and person, and his unbreakable connection to this team, this city and this fanbase are nothing short of remarkable. What an important moment in history for Alex, his family and the entire D.C. community.” — Capitals owner Ted Leonsis
“It’s been an honor to compete against you all these years. Over that time you’ve accomplished so many milestones. But this one was probably thought to be impossible and you found a way to do it.” — Penguins captain Sidney Crosby
“I’m glad that I was able to help you break that record along the way.” — Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy
“Just amazing.” — Montreal Canadiens coach and Hall of Fame winger Martin St. Louis
“I loved the way that you’ve done it: your way. You’ve done it with style, you’ve done it with passion and you’ve done it with joy. Just so proud of you.” — Former Capitals coach and current Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz
"At one time, Gretzky’s record seemed like an unreachable summit. And to reach it, you need to be exactly that sort of great forward which Ovechkin has been for all these years and remains. Alexander is the face of our hockey and of our sports as a whole, a person who the country is proud of. … I would like to wish Ovechkin to play for as long as he wants and to set all kinds of new records. He is a unique person, capable of displaying an amazing game at 39 years old and dominating games against the strongest of opponents. He embodies the power of our sport, of our great country. — Soviet Union goaltender and Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak
“Alex Ovechkin has been such a consistent goal scorer for this, his 20th season, is an amazing accomplishment and establishing a new record that most hockey people believed would never occur.” — All-time coaching wins leader and nine-time Stanley Cup-winning coach Scotty Bowman
“It's impressive the way Ovi's been able to be so consistent throughout the years and still producing at the highest level, and he's turning 40 this year. It's really remarkable.” — Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
Russian fans celebrate Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin's 895th career goal of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in a sports bar in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Wayne Gretzky, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman react as they watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game between Washington Capitals and New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), right, poses for a photo with Wayne Gretzky during a ceremony after he scored his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, is greeted by Wayne Gretzky during a ceremony after he scored his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, stands on the ice during a ceremony after he scored his 895th career goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
