Former England cricket captain Graham Thorpe passed away last week at the age of 55, leaving the cricketing community in profound shock.
Thorpe, who played 100 Tests and 82 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for England, scored 6,744 and 2,380 runs respectively. His exceptional batting skills made him one of England’s finest cricketers.
The England and Wales Cricket Board expressed their sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.
Words cannot capture the deep shock and sorrow we feel at Graham’s death. He was not just a brilliant batsman but also a cherished member of the cricket family, adored by fans globally.”
However, Thorpe’s family later revealed the heartbreaking news that he had taken his own life, following a long struggle with depression.
His wife Amanda shared that Thorpe had been battling severe depression and anxiety for several years, leading to a serious suicide attempt in May 2022, which required extended care in an intensive care unit.
Thorpe is survived by his wife Amanda and their daughters, Kitty, 22, and Emma, 19. He also leaves behind his first wife, Nicky, and their two children, Henry and Amelia.
Amanda expressed the family’s grief, explaining that despite their support and his love for his family, Thorpe’s mental health continued to deteriorate.
Kitty, Thorpe’s daughter, emphasized the importance of openly discussing mental health issues, stating, “We’re not ashamed to talk about it. It’s time to raise awareness, however painful it may be.”
Thorpe, renowned for his left-handed batting, made his Test debut in 1993 and retired in 2005. He continued to contribute to English cricket, notably as part of the coaching staff during England’s 2019 ODI World Cup triumph and later as assistant coach.