10 Interesting Facts about Graham Thorpe that you didn’t know

10 Interesting Facts about Graham Thorpe that you didn’t know: In the late 90s, world saw the emergence of many talented cricketers from all corners of the world. However, barring few extremely popular cricketers such as the likes of Kallis, Tendulkar, Jayasuriya and few others, a lot of them failed to get the hype that they deserved. Graham Thorpe of England is one of them.

The magnificent left-handed batsman played 100 tests and scored 6744 runs with 16 tons and 39 fifties at an average of around 45. He also represented England in 82 ODIs scoring 2380 runs with 21 half-centuries at an average of 37.

CricTracker is revealing Top 10 intriguing facts about Graham Thorpe as he turns 46 today.

1. Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:

Following Thorpe’s retirement in 2005, he was immediately conferred with MBE honour by the British monarchs in 2006, for his enormous contribution to world cricket. Thorpe was not only an important player for England’s national cricket squad, but he was equally prominent in domestic county cricket as well.

2. Love for Other Sports:

You are well aware with AB de Villiers’ popularity as a good player in Rugby, Tennis and Hockey in his school days, but you will be surprised to know that calm and composed Graham Thorpe was also picked for England U-18 Football team.

3. Wisden Cricketer of the Year and Other Awards:

If it’s the award that tells it all, then Graham Thorpe has lots of award in his kitty. He was declared Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1998. He also bagged 10 Man-of-the-match (MOM) and 2 Man-of-the-series award (MOS) in his illustrious 12-year-long international Cricket career.

4. Messy Marital Affair

The real success of a person is all about striking a balance between one’s personal and professional life. Unfortunately, for an ace cricketer-Graham Thorpe, marital life was not that easy-going. The conflict between Thorpe and his wife – Nicky over various issues hogged the limelight of English media several times.

Also Read – LATEST ICC TEST PLAYERS RANKING

5. The Tremlett Trivia:

Thorpey is probably one of those rarest cricketers who had played against both father and son in cricket. In 1989, he played a county game against the 33-year-old Timothy Tremlett, and after a gap of 16-years he again found Chris (Son of Timothy Tremlett) as his opponent at a county match in 2005. Chris Tremlett has also represented England in lots of international matches.

6. Clueless Captaincy:

There came occasions when Thorpe had to lead England in 3 One-dayers in 2001. Stumpe’s luck didn’t support him as England lost all of them. His 0-3 captaincy record is definitely a stat that he would never wish to see.

7. Each ball Matters:

Graham Thorpe’s debut Test, way back in 1993, could have been the biggest non-starter for him, had the ball that he missed hit his wicket in the second inning of the Test. But fortune favours the brave as the ball luckily didn’t touch the stump. The dashing southpaw then went on to score courageous 114* against Australia. He was dismissed early in the first innings and also missed the catch of Michael Slater.

8. Slow but Glowed:

The former English cricketer had that rarest resistance to score fours which you can’t witness otherwise, when his 118 off 301 balls came against Pakistan at Lahore in 2000 with just two fours. Though, it was one of the slowest tons in Test cricket yet it displayed some of the finest defensive strokes of the batsman in front of mighty Pakistani bowling attack.

9. Dazzling Double hundred:

Thorpey’s team mates knew what he was capable of. As a stylish left-handed batsman he played many useful knocks in both ODIs and Tests on a frequent basis. However, his unbeaten 200* off 231 balls with 28 boundaries and 4 sixes, against New Zealand in 2002, is the most magnificent of all. Till today, it is considered as one of the fastest double hundreds in Test cricket.

10. The Legacy Continues:

Graham Thorpe is definitely not someone who enjoys mundane life post retirement. He loves challenges and the 46-year-old is currently engages in grooming young, talented cricketers. He is enjoying his stint as England Batting Coach these days. He has also written a lot of columns for popular English media houses since his retirement.