Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe has died aged 55, the England and Wales Cricket Board has introduced.
The previous Surrey left-hander was considered one of many most interesting English gamers of his technology, taking part in 100 Assessments and scoring 16 centuries earlier than retiring in 2005.
He captained England 3 times and held numerous worldwide teaching posts between 2010 and 2022.
“There appear to be no appropriate phrases to explain the deep shock we really feel at Graham’s passing,” a press release from the governing physique learn.
“Not solely was he one in all England’s most interesting ever batsmen, he was a much-loved member of the cricket household and revered by followers around the globe.
“His talent is undoubted and his capability and achievements throughout his 13-year worldwide profession introduced a lot pleasure to his team-mates and England and Surrey CCC supporters. Later, as a coach, he led England The very best males’s gamers have achieved some unimaginable victories throughout all codecs of the sport.
“The cricketing group is in mourning immediately. Our ideas are along with his spouse Amanda, his youngsters, dad Jeff and all his household and associates throughout this unimaginably tough time. We are going to at all times bear in mind Graham A rare contribution to the game.
Surrey County chairman Oli Slipper led tributes to the previous county from Thorpe, who made greater than 300 appearances in first-class and A-grade cricket throughout a 17-year profession.
“Graham was one in all Surrey’s biggest sons and it’s with nice disappointment that he won’t be able to step by the doorways of The Oval once more. He’s a legend in Surrey, carrying three feathers and three trophies for the membership. Introduced an enormous quantity of delight.
“He made an excellent contribution to the membership as a cricketer and as a person and he can be vastly missed.”
Gamers previous and current additionally paid tribute to Thorpe, together with one in all his former England captains, Michael Vaughan.
“RIP Thorpe. Thanks for all the recommendation you gave me all through my profession, you had been an excellent participant and an excellent teammate,” Vaughn wrote on the X.
“You died too younger, however you left as an England cricket legend… Ideas with everybody who knew Soapy and all of the household xxx.”
Present England opener Ben Duckett additionally wrote on the .
“My condolences to all his family and friends at this tough time.”
Graham Thorpe: 1969-2024
Thorpe made his debut for Surrey in the summertime of 1988 earlier than changing into a daily within the 1989 season.
In 1993, on the age of 24, he lastly made his debut for England, scoring 114 runs on his debut in opposition to Australia at Trent Bridge.
Graham Thorpe celebrates England’s half-century in opposition to South Africa in 2005
Thorpe grew to become a mainstay within the center order with an unbeaten double hundred in opposition to New Zealand in Christchurch in 2002, one of many highlights of his profession – his innings included 28 fours and 4 Six innings.
Thorpe performed sporadically for England till his worldwide retirement in 2005. labored with others earlier than becoming a member of the England and Wales Cricket Board as a cricketer.
After leaving England, he was appointed as Afghanistan head coach in March 2022, however didn’t take up the place resulting from poor well being.
