Graham Thorpe has been hailed as one among England’s greatest gamers as tributes have been paid to the previous batter following his dying on the age of 55.
Thorpe’s dying was introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Monday morning, after he was first revealed to be significantly ailing in hospital in 2022.
Throughout a distinguished worldwide profession, Thorpe struck 16 Check a whole lot for England, which included a debut century in opposition to Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his nation 182 occasions in all codecs.
Present Check gamers Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Ben Duckett took to social media to hail Thorpe, whereas Stuart Broad described him as a “great particular person”, with the previous Surrey left-hander additionally having been concerned within the England set-up as a coach between 2010 and 2022.
It’s with nice unhappiness that we share the information that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has handed away.
There appear to be no applicable phrases to explain the deep shock we really feel at Graham’s dying. pic.twitter.com/VMXqxVJJCh
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2024
Ex-England captain David Gower instructed Sky Sports activities: “Certainly one of his highlights and never the numerous a whole lot he scored was the 64 not out at Karachi in 2000 the place England received a sequence for the primary time in yonks in opposition to Pakistan, in Pakistan, they usually needed to do it in pitch black darkness.
“We up within the commentary field 80 or 90 metres away couldn’t see something dwell. Solely the genius of TV cameras allowed us to see what was occurring, however that was a very good instance of his grit, dedication and can to win.
“He was very proficient and what bears that out are his figures in opposition to all comers.”
Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s main Check wicket-taker, stated on X: “He was a gentleman to the core, a really genuinely sincere, passionate man and one of the best left-handed batter I bowled to. He can be sorely missed by all cricket fraternity and past. I want power and honest prayers for his household.”
Deeply saddened by the surprising information of the passing of expensive buddy Graham Thorpe… He was a gentleman to the core, a really genuinely sincere, passionate man and one of the best left-handed batter I bowled to. He can be sorely missed by all cricket fraternity and past. I want power…
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) August 5, 2024
Akram’s compatriot Waqar Younis, who featured within the Karachi Check, added: “I misplaced my youthful brother and a greatest buddy immediately Graham Thorpe (Chorky).
“A really unhappy day of my life. We’ll miss you dearly brother. Condolences to the household and mates.”
Former England head coach David Lloyd stated: “Many colleagues and opponents will shed a tear. Certainly one of Surrey and England’s best. R.I.P Graham.”
Shaun Udal, who performed alongside Thorpe for England, stated: “He is likely one of the greatest we’ve ever produced and his stats arise in opposition to one of the best.
“When you have been in a disaster, he was the person you wished to be batting at 4 or 5. Whether or not it’s on a turning pitch in Sri Lanka or a quick, bouncy one in Australia, he was your man.
Thorpe spent 17 years with Surrey as a participant and returned to the membership as batting coach in 2008 earlier than his varied roles with England.
Former Surrey team-mate Azhar Mahmood stated: “Misplaced for phrases and extremely unhappy on the passing of Graham Thorpe MBE, a legend of England and Surrey cricket.
“I had the honour of taking part in alongside Thorpey at Surrey for years, sharing many nice occasions each on and off the sphere. He was not solely an inspiring cricketer but additionally a real gentleman.”
Ex-England spinner Rob Croft instructed Sky Sports activities: “He was one of the best of that era and I don’t say that evenly once you consider the gamers he performed with.
“He was a participant that has touched a whole lot of us. His title will stand the take a look at of time in England cricket perpetually.”
Indian nice Anil Kumble stated: “Unhappy to listen to about Graham Thorpe. He was a gritty and a incredible batter who was at all times prepared for a battle on the pitch.”
Kumble’s compatriot Yuvraj Singh stated: “Cricket has misplaced a real gem immediately with the passing of Graham Thorpe. Somebody who was at all times jovial, completely satisfied go fortunate and filled with affection. My heartfelt condolences to his household. Relaxation in peace, Graham.”
Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara stated: “Relaxation in Peace Thorpey. Nice man and legend. Ideas together with his household, family members and mates. Gone far too early.”
India nice Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to the batter’s braveness and expertise.
The flag is flying at half-mast at Sophia Gardens immediately after the unhappy information that Graham Thorpe MBE has handed away. On behalf of everybody at Glamorgan Cricket and Welsh Fireplace, our ideas are with Graham’s household and mates. pic.twitter.com/GStzFqkEja
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) August 5, 2024
“His repute as a naturally gifted, free-flowing batter who performed fearlessly and with aptitude, at all times stood out. Sending my heartfelt condolences to his household and shut ones. Relaxation in peace, Graham,” he wrote on X.
At Sophia Gardens flags flew at half-mast and the Welsh Fireplace and Southern Courageous squads lined as much as observe a second of silence earlier than their Hundred match.
Mark Ramprakash wrote within the Guardian: “His dying may be very robust to take and got here far too quickly. It’s surprising that we got here up collectively and now he’s not right here.
“By way of his legacy, it’s not simply the participant it’s the particular person. He had empathy for the way exhausting cricket and life could possibly be. Everybody may relate to that.”
