Graham Thorpe – a life in pictures

The former Surrey and England cricketer Graham Thorpe has died at the age of 55. The batter, one of the finest of his generation, made a century of Test appearances before becoming a coach for the national team

Main image: Graham Thorpe hits out during the fifth Test against South Africa at the Oval in 2003. Thorpe scored a brilliant 124 after being recalled to the side. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

  • Graham Thorpe was born in Farnham, Surrey in 1969, making his debut for his home county in 1988. Pictured on his way to making 93 during the 1991 NatWest Trophy final. Surrey ultimately lost to Hampshire by four wickets.
    Graham Thorpe was born in Farnham, Surrey in 1969, making his debut for his home county in 1988. Pictured on his way to making 93 during the 1991 NatWest Trophy final, losing to Hampshire.

  • Thorpe scored his maiden Test century on his debut, making an unbeaten 114 against Australia in the second innings of the 1993 Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
    Thorpe on his way to his maiden Test century on his debut against Australia in 1993 at Trent Bridge

  • Thorpe made his name as a fine attacking batsman. Here he hits out in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba in 1994, watched by David Boon, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy.
    Thorpe hits out, watched by David Boon, Mark Taylor and Ian Healy, in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba in 1994.

  • Thorpe celebrates his second Test century, at the Waca in Perth in 1995.
    Thorpe celebrates his second Test century, at the Waca in Perth in 1995.

  • Thorpe sprays the bubbly with Mike Atherton after England defeated West Indies in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on July 1995. Thorpe made 94 in the first innings.
    Thorpe sprays the bubbly with Mike Atherton after England beat West Indies in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on July 1995.

  • Thorpe with his Surrey – and England – teammate Alec Stewart during an advertising stunt at the Oval in 1997. His performances that summer led to his being named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year.
    Thorpe with his Surrey – and England – teammate Alec Stewart during an advertising stunt for the county at the Oval in 1997.

  • Thorpe made an unbeaten 223 to save England’s tour match against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval in November 1998.
    Thorpe on his way to an unbeaten 223 to save England’s tour match against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval in November 1998.

  • Thorpe with Mark Ramprakash after their record fifth-wicket partnership of 377 against South Australia.
    Thorpe with Mark Ramprakash after their record fifth-wicket partnership of 377 against South Australia

  • Thorpe waiting to practise in the nets at the Waca in October 1998.
    Thorpe waiting to practise in the nets at the Waca in October 1998, with a hat on top of his helmet.

  • Thorpe celebrates after his unbeaten 64 helped beat Pakistan in the first ODI at Karachi in October 2000.
    Thorpe celebrates after his unbeaten 64 helped beat Pakistan in the first ODI at Karachi in October 2000

  • Thorpe with Nasser Hussain in the Karachi twilight after England beat Pakistan by six wickets to win the third Test, clinching a 1-0 series victory, on 11 December 2000.
    Thorpe with Nasser Hussain in the Karachi twilight after England beat Pakistan by six wickets to win the third Test, clinching a 1-0 series victory, on 11 December 2000.

  • Thorpe enjoys some shade during an England team golf day before the ICC Knockout Trophy in Nairobi, 2000.
    Thorpe enjoys some shade during an England team golf day before the ICC Knockout Trophy in Nairobi, 2000.

  • He was a fine slip fielder. Here Thorpe dives to catch Saleem Elahi off the bowling of Andy Caddick against Pakistan at Lord’s in 2001.
    He was a fine slip fielder. Here Thorpe dives to catch Saleem Elahi off the bowling of Andy Caddick against Pakistan at Lord’s in 2001.

  • Graham Thorpe photographed for the Guardian in the Long Room at Lord’s in 2003.
    Graham Thorpe photographed for the Guardian in the Long Room at Lord’s in 2003

  • Thorpe sits in the captain’s chair as the real captain looks on board the frigate, HMS Monmouth, off Barbados in 2004.
    Thorpe sits in the captain’s chair as the captain looks on while on board the frigate HMS Monmouth off Barbados in 2004

  • Thorpe hits out during the fifth Test against South Africa at the Oval in 2003. Thorpe scored a brilliant 124 after being recalled to the side.
    Thorpe hits out during his brilliant 124 in the fifth Test against South Africa at the Oval in 2003

  • Thorpe raises his bat after reaching a century in the third Test against West Indies at Kensington Oval in 2004.
    Thorpe raises his bat after reaching a century in the third Test against West Indies at Kensington Oval in 2004.

  • Thorpe was man of the match as England won the series against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados in 2004.
    Thorpe was man of the match as England won the series against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados in 2004.

  • Thorpe skies a shot at Arundel in 2004 while batting for MCC in a warm-up match for a series against West Indies. He was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
    Thorpe skies a shot while batting for MCC during a warm-up match for West Indies at Arundel in 2004

  • Thorpe receives a commemorative bat on 3 June 2005 to mark his 100th Test, the second Test against Bangladesh at the Riverside. It proved to be his final Test appearance.
    Thorpe receives a commemorative bat on 3 June 2005 to mark his 100th Test, the second Test against Bangladesh at the Riverside. It proved to be his final Test.

  • A portrait for the Guardian at his home ground, the Oval, after his retirement in 2005.
    A portrait for the Guardian at his home ground, the Oval, after his retirement in 2005

  • Thorpe was appointed MBE for services to cricket in 2007.
    Thorpe with his MBE for services to cricket in 2007.

  • After persistent injuries ended his playing career, Thorpe became a coach, pictured here before the tour match between England Lions and Sri Lanka A at Scarborough in 2011.
    Thorpe the coach, pictured before the tour match between England Lions and Sri Lanka A at Scarborough in 2011

  • Thorpe as England batting coach with Joe Root at Eden Park, Auckland, in 2013.
    Thorpe as England batting coach with Joe Root at Eden Park, Auckland, in 2013.

  • Thorpe celebrates with Root and the trophy late in the evening at Lord’s after England won the Cricket World Cup in 2019.
    Graham Thorpe celebrates with Joe Root and the trophy late in the evening at Lord’s after England won the Cricket World Cup in 2019

  • Graham Thorpe, 1969-2024
    Graham Thorpe, 1969-2024
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