The England cricket team, currently engaged in a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, will pay their respects to the late Graham Thorpe during the first Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, August 21. The moving tribute comes as a heartfelt gesture to honor the former England batsman and respected coach, who left an indelible mark on English cricket.
Ollie Pope, leading England in the absence of Ben Stokes, has announced that the English players will don black armbands throughout the 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 revealed 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.”
Thorpe, who served as a batting and assistant coach for the England men’s team, played an influential role in the careers of many current players. Reflecting on the personal impact Thorpe had on him, Pope shared, “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 honour him this week,” he added.
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The squad for the series against Sri Lanka includes promising and experienced players alike: Daniel Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir, Jordan Cox, and Olly Stone. As they prepare to face a formidable Sri Lankan team, the tribute to Thorpe will undoubtedly add an emotional dimension to the match.
In the opposing camp, Sri Lanka has also announced a strong squad for the Test series, featuring a blend of seasoned players and fresh talent: 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.
Graham Thorpe’s legacy extends far beyond his statistics as a player; he was revered for his technical prowess, particularly his ability to handle spin bowling and his resilience under pressure. As a coach, he imparted invaluable wisdom, emphasizing the importance of mental fortitude and character within the game. His contributions to cricket were profound, shaping not only the technical skills of players but also their approach to the rigors of international cricket.
The timing of the tribute could not be more poignant, underscoring the camaraderie and respect within cricketing circles. England’s gesture aims to celebrate Thorpe’s life and contributions, reminding fans and players alike of the values he championed. The pre-match tribute is expected to be a deeply emotional moment, reverberating through the stadium and uniting everyone in a shared remembrance of a man who gave so much to the sport.
Apart from the emotional context, the series holds significant importance for both teams. England, under Ollie Pope’s leadership, will seek to assert their dominance and continue their strong performance record at home. On the other side, Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, aims to challenge England and gain valuable experience and successes on foreign soil.
As the teams take to the field, the black armbands will serve as a constant reminder of Thorpe’s enduring influence. The message he imparted to his players — to never be defined solely by their on-field successes but to uphold the spirit and integrity of the sport — will resonate through this match and beyond. England’s tribute to Graham Thorpe will be a fitting homage to a man whose legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of cricket.
