Graham Thorpe’s mental health battle left him in intensive care after suicide attempt years before he took his own life
GRAHAM Thorpe’s mental health battle left him in intensive care after a suicide attempt two years before he took his own life.
Thorpe died aged 55 last week after a long and illustrious career for England and Surrey.
ReutersEngland and Surrey batsman Thorpe died aged 55 earlier this month[/caption]
Thorpe, his wife Amanda and their daughters Kitty and Emma in 2007Rex
Graham Thorpe in action for England against West Indies in 2004Getty
PA:Press AssociationThorpe captained England during his illustrious career[/caption]
His wife Amanda said Thorpe had been seriously ill in hospital in May 2022 after a previous suicide attempt.
The mum-of-two said Graham had suffered from major depression and anxiety “for a couple of years”.
Amanda told The Times: “This led him to make a serious attempt on his life in May 2022, which resulted in a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit.”
“Despite glimpses of hope and of the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times got very severe.
“We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments but unfortunately none of them really seemed to work.
“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health.
Amanda added: “But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.”
She said: “Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better.
“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him.”
She added: “We are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”
Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years.
He was an England regular and went on to play 100 Tests, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side, as well as enjoying a 17-year career with Surrey.
His final Test appearance came in June 2005 before he was omitted from that summer’s victorious Ashes series and called time on his international career.
In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.
“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death.
“More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.
“His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike.
“Later, as a coach, he guided the best England Men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.
“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.
“We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”
Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better
Amanda Thorpe
Former England captain Michael Vaughan led tributes to his former team-mate.
Vaughan said: “RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career, you were a great player and a brilliant team-mate.
“You have gone far too young but you leave as an England cricket legend.”
Posting on Twitter, Vaughan added: “Thoughts with all who knew Thorpey and to all the family xxx.”
Thorpe stayed in the game as a coach after his retirement from playing.
He moved to New South Wales where he worked with a young Steve Smith and David Warner.
He later returned to work as a coach with England between 2010 and 2022.
Thorpe took charge of his country in the familiar surroundings of the Sydney Cricket Ground after Chris Silverwood was laid low by coronavirus.
He secured a nail-biting draw to avoid a seemingly inevitable Ashes whitewash.
Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health
Amanda Thorpe
Steve Elworthy, Surrey chief executive, said “Everyone associated with the club is devastated by the tragic news of Graham’s passing.
“He achieved remarkable feats for club and country and was a hero to so many cricket fans.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and friends, to whom we will offer any support that we are able to.
“We ask that everyone respects the privacy of the family at this incredibly difficult time.”
The Professional Cricketers’ Association shared a statement on behalf of Thorpe’s family in May 2022, saying the England legend had “fallen seriously ill” and was in hospital receiving treatment.
“His prognosis is unclear at this stage… our thoughts are with Graham and his family,” the statement read.
He is survived by his wife Amanda and four children, Henry, Amelia, Kitty and Emma.
More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world
ECB
Thorpe was born on August 1, 1969 in the market town of Farnham, little more than an hour from The Oval.
He remembered being drafted by local side Wrecclesham’s Under-17s while still only eight years old.
Thorpe was spotted early by Surrey, who picked him up as an under-11.
Surrey never let him go, even when Brentford Football Club came calling with the offer of trials.
Thorpe showed enough football promise to be selected by England Schools as a ball-playing link between defence and midfield.
But he would go on to choose the summer sport and later became one of the country’s most accomplished players of spin.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
