England will pay tribute to the late Graham Thorpe during the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, with 1 August set aside as ‘A Day for Thorpey’ – a date that would have marked his 56th birthday.
The former England cricketer tragically took his own life on 4 August last year, just days after turning 55. His death followed a prolonged battle with depression and anxiety.
Thorpe remains one of England’s most respected Test players, amassing 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66. He’s one of just 17 Englishmen to earn 100 Test caps. Beyond his playing days, he served in coaching roles with Surrey, the England national side, and Afghanistan.
The tribute will take place on the second day of the Oval Test, a venue where Thorpe made his name while playing for Surrey between 1988 and 2005. His family—wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma—have organised the remembrance day in collaboration with mental health charity Mind.
“That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright,” Amanda told the BBC.
On August 1, The Oval won’t just host a crucial day of Test cricket—it will become a ground of remembrance and celebration for Graham Thorpe, whose legacy transcends the boundary ropes.
Thorpe’s life post-retirement wasn’t as smooth as his elegant strokeplay on the pitch. He was part of England’s coaching staff during the fraught 2021-22 Ashes series in Australia, a tour held under strict Covid protocols.
Amanda described that period as “tough” for him. England’s crushing 4–0 defeat was followed by Thorpe’s dismissal from the coaching setup.
His coaching journey continued briefly when he was appointed head coach of Afghanistan in March 2022. But just two months later, he made an attempt on his life and required intensive care. It was the beginning of a steep decline.
“Over the years, it worsened until he couldn’t get out of bed. What started as a mental illness turned into a physical illness. Over two years, he aged about 15 years,” Kitty said.
The day at The Oval won’t just be about cricket. It’s about spreading awareness. The Thorpe family is raising funds for Mind, and specially designed headbands will be sold to support the cause. Additionally, the charity’s well-known ‘Bat and Chat’ sessions will be renamed ‘Thorpey’s Bat and Chat’, with a vision to roll them out nationally.
“I still don’t really understand it,” Amanda reflected. “How did it happen to Graham? But it can happen to anyone.”
Graham Thorpe’s story is both an inspiration and a cautionary tale. A brilliant batsman, a devoted coach, and above all, a man whose inner battles remained largely hidden until it was too late. His memory now fuels a campaign to ensure others don’t suffer in silence.
The Oval will remember not just the runs, the cover drives, and the caps—but the man himself.
