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‘No appropriate words’ after former England batsman, coach Graham Thorpe dies, aged 55

  • One of the best batsman of his generation, Thorpe earned 100 Test caps between 1993 and 2005, scoring 16 centuries

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England’s batsman Graham Thorpe raises his bat and helmet in celebration after scoring an unbeaten 119 on the second day of the third Test against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados, April 2, 2004. Photo: AP

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

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Thorpe won 100 Test caps between 1993 and 2005 and scored 16 centuries during a stellar England career and was regarded as one of the best batsman of his generation.

In total he scored 6,744 Test runs for England at an average of 44.66 and also appeared in 82 one-day internationals.

Alongside his international exploits he enjoyed a 17-year spell with his county side Surrey.

After retiring in 2005, he transitioned into coaching, working with the England international teams in various roles between 2010 and 2022.

Graham Thorpe during an England net practice at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, in 2019. Photo: Reuters
Graham Thorpe during an England net practice at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, in 2019. Photo: Reuters

“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death,” the ECB said in a statement. “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.

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