Former England batter Graham Thorpe dies aged 55

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

Thorpe played 100 test matches and 82 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2005, scoring 16 test centuries. He served as England's batting coach and assistant coach before stepping down in February 2022 after a 4-0 loss in the Ashes.

He was appointed as Afghanistan's head coach in March 2022, but was hospitalised with a serious illness before he could join the team.

"There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham's death," the ECB posted on X. "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.

"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."

Thorpe joined the ECB in 2010 as lead batting coach, and went on to work as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood with England Men. He was among a number of the team management to depart in the wake of the 2021-22 Ashes.

After Thorpe was hospitalised in May, England's newly appointed Test captain Ben Stokes wore a shirt with Thorpe's name and England cap number on the back for the toss at his first match in charge, against New Zealand at Lord's.

Oli Slipper, Surrey's chair said: "Graham is one of the great sons of Surrey and there is an overwhelming sadness that he will not walk through the gates of the Oval again. He is a legend of Surrey and brought great pride to the club wearing both the Three Feathers and the Three Lions.

"He made outstanding contributions to the club as a cricketer, and as a man, and he will be so sorely missed."