England’s Thorpe falls ‘seriously ill’

Graham Thorpe, the former England batsman and assistant coach, was in hospital yesterday after falling “seriously ill”.

Thorpe, who was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board after this winter’s Ashes, was receiving treatment at an unknown facility, with his prognosis described as “unclear”. In news that stunned the cricket world, the Professional Cricketers’ Association released a statement at the request of the 52-year-old’s family. “Graham Thorpe has recently fallen seriously ill and is currently in hospital receiving treatment,” it read. “His prognosis is unclear at this stage and we ask for privacy for him and his family at this time. Our thoughts are with Graham and his family.”

The PCA told Telegraph Sport it was unable to say whether Thorpe, who was appointed head coach of Afghanistan in March and began working with them at the end of last month, had been admitted to hospital in the UK or overseas.

Well-wishes poured in yesterday for one of the finest England batsmen of his generation, who played 100 Tests and scored 16 centuries before retiring in 2005.

The England team posted on Twitter: “All of our thoughts are with Graham Thorpe and his family. We’re with you, Thorpey.”

Surrey, where Thorpe spent his entire 17-year county career, said in a statement: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Graham, his wife Amanda, and family at this time. He is an icon of the English game, known by millions of cricket fans and forever a favourite son of Surrey CCC.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement: “We stand with Graham, his family and friends in this critical situation.”

Thorpe was fired by England in February, along with head coach Chris Silverwood, after their 4-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia.