5 interesting facts about legendary England batter Graham Thorpe who passed away at 55
The cricketing world has plunged into mourning with the demise of Graham Thorpe, a stalwart of English cricket, at the age of 55. Renowned for his elegant batting and sharp cricketing brain, Thorpe left an indelible mark on the game.
He played exactly 100 Tests for England, scoring 6744 runs with an average of 44.66. Thorpe had a long career, playing as many as 341 first-class games, where he amassed 21973 runs apart from playing 354 List-A games, where he piled on 10871 runs. Interestingly, he has also played five T20 matches, scoring 95 runs with a high score of 50 as well.
Graham Thorpe's legacy as a cricketer and a human being will continue to inspire generations to come. His untimely passing is a profound loss to the cricketing fraternity, but his contributions to the game will forever be cherished.
His illustrious playing career is filled with several fascinating facts that highlight his exceptional talent.
Here are five most interesting facts about legendary England batter Graham Thorpe that you probably did not know.
5 interesting facts about legendary England batter Graham Thorpe who passed away at 55
#5 Thorpe never scored an ODI hundred
Despite being a prolific run-scorer in Test cricket, with 16 centuries to his name, Graham Thorpe curiously never managed to convert his ODI starts into triple figures. With 2380 runs in 82 ODIs, including 21 half-centuries, his best score remained an unbeaten 89. This statistic adds an intriguing dimension to the legend of a batter who was otherwise peerless in his era.
#4 Won a Test for England in near darkness in Pakistan
One of the most dramatic chapters in Thorpe's career unfolded in Karachi, during a Test match against Pakistan in 2000. Chasing a modest target of 176 in challenging conditions, England found themselves in a precarious position.
However, Thorpe's calm and composed batting steered the team to victory, with the winning runs scored in near darkness due to Pakistan's slow over-rate. He remained unbeaten on 64. This iconic innings showcased his exceptional temperament and match-winning ability.
#3 The Tremlett Trivia
A unique fact or instance in Thorpe's career involves the Tremlett family. He had the extraordinary experience of facing both father and son in county cricket. In 1989, he came up against Timothy Tremlett, while in 2005, he faced off against Chris Tremlett, Timothy's son. This unusual feat also showcases Thorpe's longevity and the passage of time in the cricketing world.
#2 Thorpe served as a coach after his playing days
Thorpe's contributions to the game extended far beyond his playing days. He transitioned seamlessly into coaching, serving England in various capacities between 2010 and 2022. His appointment as Afghanistan's head coach in 2022, albeit cut short by illness, also shows his commitment to nurturing talent and developing cricket globally.
#1 Represented England in football
While cricket was undoubtedly Thorpe's forte, his athleticism extended to other sports as well. Surprisingly, he represented the England U-18 football team, showcasing his versatility beyond cricket. This revelation adds another layer to the already impressive profile of a man who excelled in multiple disciplines.