By Daniel Brettig
Ricky Ponting called Graham Thorpe England’s “best-ever” batting technician.
His former captain Mike Atherton, meanwhile, rated Thorpe alongside David Gower as England’s finest two left-handers since the Second World War.
The late Graham Thorpe.Credit: Getty Images
Thorpe’s death, at the age of 55, was a shock to many when announced by the England Cricket Board on Monday night. But he had not been seen in public since the Professional Cricketers Association revealed in 2022 that Thorpe was “seriously ill” and in hospital.
He had signed up to become the head coach of Afghanistan shortly beforehand, after losing his job as England’s batting coach following an unhappy and biosecurity-blighted Ashes tour of 2021-22. It was a desperately sad conclusion to the cricket career of a player who confounded Australia on numerous occasions.
“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death,” the ECB said.
“More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.
“His skill was unquestioned and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his team-mates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike. Later, as a coach, he guided the best England men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.
“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”
Nuggety in build and with a soccer background, Thorpe marked himself as a left-hander of quality by making a century on Test debut against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993. He shared the crease with then captain Graham Gooch for a long partnership that innings, and lost little by comparison to his venerable partner.
Thorpe handled the tactical challenges of the Australians as well as their sledges, although in his third Test at Edgbaston, Ian Healy’s barb “watch this guy play to get a not out” resulted in an “I’ll show you” charge at Shane Warne and a stumping.
Not always trusted by the England selectors in those early years, Thorpe proved he had the courage and the skills to deal with top-class pace as well as the wiles of the game’s best spinners.
In January 1995, he swatted another century against Australia on a fast WACA Ground pitch that drew comparisons with a similar innings by a young Sachin Tendulkar on the same ground a few summers earlier.
Over the next decade, Thorpe built up a compelling record in all conditions, averaging nearly 47 against Australia and better than 35 against every nation he played more than two Tests against.
Later he would remark, with candour, that, “Early on, a Test batsman is always selfish. When you get established, you can become a team player.”
His career spanned England’s progression from an outmoded invitational XI to a more modern system of central contracts and greater collective purpose, but was also marked by personal struggles.
Thorpe’s first marriage dissolved in the midst of a tour of India, and after retirement he was open about battles with mental health that saw him miss the 2002-03 tour of Australia.
In 2005, England chose to move on from Thorpe right before that year’s epic Ashes encounter, leaving him with a tally of exactly 100 Tests.
Had it been him rather than a callow 23-year-old Ian Bell at No.4 in the order, the series’ narrow margin may not have been quite so close.
Following his retirement Thorpe was appointed batting coach at NSW for the 2005-06 season before being appointed assistant coach the following summer, which included taking charge of the NSW Second XI.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.