England skipper Ben Stokes, who is not playing decisive the fifth and final Test between England and India at the iconic Kia Oval, has planned an emotional tribute on Day 2 of the game to former cricketer and coach Graham Thorpe, who passed away last year at the age of 55 after reportedly struggling with mental health issues.
England to honour Graham Thorpe during on Day 2 of Oval Test
Stokes reflected on the lasting impact of Thorpe, describing him as a hugely influential figure in English cricket both as a player and a coach. He noted that several players in the current England squad had spent significant time with Thorpe while coming through the ranks and valued his presence in the dressing room over the years.
“A Day for Thorpey”, a tribute to the late cricketer, will be held on Friday, August 1, during the fifth Test at The Oval. The day coincides with what would have been Thorpe’s 56th birthday and aims to raise awareness and support for the mental health charity Mind. The occasion is expected to be an emotional moment for Thorpe’s family, fans, and the wider cricket community as they honour his legacy.
“Thorpey’s been a very influential character as a player and a coach in English cricket. It’s going to be a special day for all English fans, a special day for his family to see how much he meant to English cricket and how much he means to the current England dressing room. A few of us in that dressing room spent a lot of time with him coming through the ranks and, as we got into the main (England) team Thorpey spent a lot of years around us,” Stokes said in the press conference.
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Thorpe died last year battling mental health struggles
Thorpe was one of England’s most respected batters and coaches, tragically passed away last year at 55. As confirmed by his family, Thorpe took his own life after struggling with severe mental health challenges. He had been dealing with anxiety and physical health complications in his final months. A left-handed middle-order mainstay, Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, scoring 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66, and featured in 82 ODIs. After retirement, he became a prominent coach, mentoring the national side’s batters for over a decade and later joining Afghanistan’s setup in 2022. His sudden loss sent shockwaves through the cricket world, prompting heartfelt tributes from players and former teammates alike.
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