Photograph by Graham Thorpe in 2005.
Photograph: AFP

Former England cricketer and coach Graham Thorpe has died at the age of 55, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced.

Known for his stylish batting style, Thorpe is considered one of the best players of his generation. He played 100 Test matches between 1993 and 2005, scoring 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66, including 16 centuries.

The left-handed middle-order batsman also played 82 One-Day Internationals (ODIs).

Thorpe’s home county of Surrey, which he represented in first-class cricket, called him “a legend of Surrey and England”.

“Everyone associated with the club is devastated by the tragic news of Graham’s death,” Surrey said on social media.

The ECB said in a post on its X website on Monday: “There seem to be no words to describe the profound shock we feel at the passing of Graham… More than just one of England’s greatest ever batsmen, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and respected by fans all over the world.

“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our thoughts are with his wife Amanda, his children, his father Geoff and all his family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.”

Graham Thorpe sweeps a delivery as South Africa’s Jacques Kallis looks on during the first test of the South Africa-England cricket tour on 21 December 2004. England won the test by 7 wickets.
Photograph: AFP

Thorpe served as England’s batting coach and assistant coach, helping the team win its first ODI World Cup in 2019. He resigned following a 4–0 defeat against England in the Ashes in February 2022.

He was appointed as the head coach of the Afghanistan national team in March 2022, but was hospitalized due to a serious illness before he could join the team.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), of which Thorpe is an honorary member, said in a statement on its social media account: “As batting coach, Thorpe played a significant role in England’s revival of white-ball cricket.”

– Reuters