England cricket great Graham Thorpe has died at the age of just 55.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the shock news on Monday.
No immediate cause of death was announced.
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Thorpe won 100 Test caps during a stellar England career and was regarded as one of the best batters of his generation, with his international exploits running alongside a 17-year spell with his county side Surrey.
He also later went into coaching, including spending time with the New South Wales state side and England’s national team.
In Mach 2022 he was appointed coach of Afghanistan but fell seriously ill before beginning his role.
Tributes quickly came flowing in for the cricket great.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away,” the ECB said.
“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death. 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 teammates 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.”
Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years.
He was an England regular, scoring 16 Test centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side.
His final Test appearance came in June 2005 before he was omitted from that summer’s victorious Ashes series and called time on his international career.
Thorpe stayed in the game after his retirement from playing, moving to New South Wales where he worked with a young Steve Smith and David Warner.
He returned to work with England between 2010 and 2022. Thorpe took charge of his country in the familiar surroundings of the Sydney Cricket Ground after Chris Silverwood was laid low by coronavirus, securing a nailbiting draw to avoid a seemingly inevitable Ashes whitewash.
Michael Vaughan, who captained Thorpe towards the end of his Test career, paid tribute on social media.
“RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career, you were a great player and a brilliant teammate. You have gone far too young but you leave as an England cricket legend … Thoughts with all who knew Thorpey and to all the family xxx,” he tweeted.
Current England opener Ben Duckett was heartbroken.
“Heartbreaking to see Thorpey has passed away. He was one of my heroes growing up and I was fortunate to work with him. My thoughts go out to all of his friends and family during this tough time,” he tweeted.
Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann paid tribute by tweeting three tear emojis.
Channel 7 commentator Alison Mitchell said: “This is desperately tragic news. Aged just 55.”
– With AAP
