England’s cricket team, currently engaged in a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, will be paying a heartfelt tribute to the late Graham Thorpe during the first Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, August 21. The England squad, led by Ollie Pope in the absence of Ben Stokes, will wear black armbands to commemorate Thorpe, a revered figure in English cricket who passed away earlier this year.
“We’ll have our black armbands on throughout the course of the game and there’ll be a tribute to him before,” Pope disclosed in a statement to ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday. “It’s hurt a lot of people in that changing room. He was a great man. I probably had two or three years playing with him as a batting coach. I really admired him.”
Graham Thorpe, remembered for his profound impact on English cricket both as a player and as a coach, had a decorated career that spanned over a decade. His coaching tenure, particularly as England’s batting coach and later assistant coach, had a lasting influence on the squad’s development, especially on burgeoning talents like Ollie Pope. “I remember him saying one thing to me, which was: ‘Never let the runs you’re scoring define you as a person.’ In a bit of a rut when you’re young, that was exactly what I needed to hear. It shows, for me, what a people’s person he was. He was loved in the changing room. He’s such a sad loss to everyone: to the country, his family, and the boys as well. He’s missed, and we’ll honor him this week,” Pope added.
Graham Thorpe’s legacy is not just measured by his stats and accolades but also by the indelible mark he left on players he mentored. Known for his technical acumen and psychological insight, Thorpe’s advice often transcended the sport itself, guiding many young cricketers through personal and professional challenges.
“His words were simple but profound.
. ‘Never let the runs you’re scoring define you as a person,’ he once told me. For a young cricketer trying to find his ground, that was invaluable advice,” Pope continued. “Graham’s role at the backroom was more than just about cricket. He was a mentor, a guide, and a friend.”
To mark his contributions and memory, England’s players will don black armbands throughout the duration of the match. A minute’s silence is also anticipated to be observed before the game begins, a somber acknowledgment of the void Thorpe’s passing has left.
England’s squad for the series includes a mix of seasoned players and burgeoning talents: Daniel Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir, Jordan Cox, and Olly Stone. Each of these players will have their own memory or piece of wisdom from Thorpe.
The series against Sri Lanka is expected to be high-voltage, featuring competitive line-ups from both sides. Sri Lanka’s squad, led by the experienced captain Dimuth Karunaratne, includes notable names like Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dhananjaya de Silva (co-captain). Other squad members include Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Pathum Nissanka, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Nisala Tharaka, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Ramesh Mendis, all eager to make their mark on English soil.
In cricketing news related to other teams, Australian internationals Steve Smith and David Warner among others have recently re-signed with their BBL clubs, anchoring their crucial roles for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, in preparations for the same Test against England, Sri Lanka announced their playing XI, with Rathnayake set to make his debut. Pakistan’s Shan Masood also revealed his strategy for an all-pace attack in their first Test against Bangladesh, hinting at innovative tactics expected in the international cricket scene.
As England and Sri Lanka square off at Old Trafford, the match promises to be more than just a Test of skills and strategies. It will be a tribute game, laden with emotions and memories of Graham Thorpe, whose influence continues to resonate within the cricket community. His teachings and persona have left an indelible mark, one that players and fans alike will honor through this poignant remembrance.
