Graham Thorpe's 5 best knocks in Tests
Former England batter Graham Thorpe died at the age of 55 on Monday, August 5, the ECB announced on their official X account. Thorpe had been battling a serious illness since May 2022 and was receiving treatment.
Thorpe made his Test debut in July 1993 against Australia and played an impressive knock of 114* in the second innings. Since then, he was England's mainstay in the middle-order and also helped the team to secure back-to-back series wins in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2000-01.
Playing 100 Test matches until 2005, the southpaw amassed 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66 with 16 centuries and 39 fifties. He then served as batting coach of New South Wales, Surrey, and England national team. The former batter was due to take over as the head coach of Afghanistan in March 2022 but fell ill before beginning his tenure.
On that note, let's take a look at the five best knocks of Graham Thorpe in the longest format.
#5 124 vs South Africa, 2003
In September 2003, South Africa opted to bat against England at The Oval. Riding on Herschelle Gibbs' 183, the Proteas posted 484 on the board. In response, England started well but lost a couple of wickets inside the 80-run mark.
However, Graham Thorpe stitched a terrific 168-run stand with Marcus Trescothick to put England on the front foot. Thorpe was dismissed on a well-compiled 124 off 244, while Trescothick hit 219 off 374, as England declared on 604/9.
Thereafter, South Africa were dismissed for 229, and England went on to chase the target of 110 and win by nine wickets.
#4 138 vs Australia, 1997
The arch-rivals, England and Australia met in June 1997 in Birmingham. Batting first, Australia were bundled out for just 118. Then, the home team started on a bad note, as they were stuttering at 50/3. Nevertheless, Thorpe displayed composure to bring back the team into the game with his incredible 288-run stand with Nasser Hussain.
Thorpe garnered 138 off 245, while Hussain hit 207 off 337 as England declared on 478/9. Trailing by 360 runs, Australia managed to score 477, with centuries from two players. Thereafter, England sealed an easy chase of 118 under 22 overs.
#3 119* vs West Indies, 2004
In April 2004, England were up against the challenge of the West Indies in Bridgetown. Batting first, the Caribbean team were all-out for 224. Then, England were in a spot of bother at 33/3. Although Graham Thorpe tried to steer the team in the right direction, he found no support from other batters.
Nevertheless, Thorpe played a gusty knock of 119* off 217, as the visitors scored 226 and took the lead of two runs. As a result of this momentum shift, West Indies crumbled under pressure to get bundled out for 94. The English side chased down the target of 93 easily with eight wickets to spare.
#2 113* vs Sri Lanka, 2001
Graham Thorpe played one of his most sensational test knocks against Sri Lanka in March 2001 in Colombo. Batting first, the hosts posted 241 on the board. In response, England again lost the plot at the top but found support from Thorpe.
The southpaw displayed his ability to score runs under pressure in subcontinent tracks. He remained unbeaten on 113 off 267 as the tourists took a lead of eight runs in the first innings. Thereafter, the Islanders were bundled out for a paltry 81.
Interestingly, England lost six wickets in a successful chase of 74, as Thorpe emerged as the top-scorer with 32* off 49. As a result, England won the Test series 2-1.
#1 200* vs New Zealand, 2002
This knock remains Graham Thorpe's finest performance in the longest format. In March 2022, England met New Zealand in Christchurch and were all out for 228. Then, the Kiwi team could not respond well, as they could finish on 147.
In the second innings, England lost half of the side near the 100-run mark, but Thorpe and Andrew Flintoff produced a sensational performance to help the team's cause. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 200 off 231, while Flintoff scored 137 off 163, as England declared on 468/6. Chasing 550, New Zealand tried well but were all-out for 451.