The England cricket team, set to engage in a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, will take a poignant moment to pay tribute to the late Graham Thorpe during the Old Trafford Test in Manchester this Wednesday, August 21. The team, led by Ollie Pope in the absence of regular captain Ben Stokes, has planned several gestures to honor the former cricketer and coach.
Ollie Pope, who will be carrying the captain’s mantle throughout the series, disclosed that the English players will don black armbands during the first Test match as a mark of respect. “We’ll have our black armbands on throughout the course of the game and there’ll be a tribute to him before,” Pope told 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.”
Thorpe, a revered figure in England cricket, played an influential role in the careers of many current players, including Pope himself, who credits Thorpe for imparting invaluable wisdom during his time as the batting and assistant coach of the England men’s team. “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, emphasizing the emotional impact of Thorpe’s passing.
The England squad lineup for the series includes players like Daniel Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir, Jordan Cox, Olly Stone, and of course, Ollie Pope as the captain.
. These athletes are gearing up to face a robust Sri Lankan team under thoughtful and respectful reflections for the departed mentor.
On the visitor’s side, Sri Lanka’s squad will see players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), 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. Notably, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake is set to make his debut, adding an element of fresh excitement to the matches.
The Test series comes in the wake of several notable cricket events. Recently, Australia’s Steve Smith and David Warner, among others, re-signed with their respective Big Bash League (BBL) clubs, indicating a robust cricket season ahead. Moreover, Shan Masood, the Pakistani cricketer, recently revealed his strategic choice of an all-pace bowling attack for their first Test against Bangladesh.
As the England team prepares to confront Sri Lanka, the sentiment in the English camp is a blend of reverence and determination. Graham Thorpe’s influence stretches beyond mere coaching; he was a friend, a mentor, and a guiding light for many players. The planned tribute is not just a ceremonial gesture but a heartfelt acknowledgment of Thorpe’s lasting legacy.
Collectively, the England squad is set to channel their respect and admiration for Thorpe into their performance on the field. The black armbands and pre-match tributes will serve as a constant reminder of the values and teachings instilled by Thorpe. This emotional underpinning could potentially galvanize the team, driving them to deliver a performance that honors the memory of such a cherished figure in English cricket.
In conclusion, the Old Trafford Test against Sri Lanka is not just another fixture in the cricketing calendar; it is an occasion tinged with emotion and memory. As the England players line up on the field, they carry with them the spirit of Graham Thorpe, hoping to reflect his passion and dedication in every run scored and wicket taken. This series promises to be a fitting homage to a man who gave so much to the sport and his team, marking a chapter of both remembrance and competitive spirit in England cricket’s annals.
