‘SERIOUSLY ILL’ LEGEND THORPE IS RECEIVING HOSPITAL TREATMENT

THE cricket world was in shock last night after it emerged that Graham Thorpe, one of England’s greatest batsmen, was seriously ill in hospital. A statement released by the Professional Cricketers’ Association at the request of Thorpe’s family said that the prognosis was ‘unclear’ for the former England and Surrey batsman. There were no further details released about Thorpe’s condition, with his family requesting privacy. The PCA statement read: ‘Graham Thorpe has recently fallen seriously ill and is currently in hospital receiving treatment. 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.’ Former Surrey left-hander Thorpe was renowned as one of the finest English players of his generation, played exactly 100 Tests and scored 16 centuries before retiring in 2005. He went on to begin a coaching career in Australia, where he worked with the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner at New South Wales, before joining the England and Wales Cricket Board as a batting coach. He worked as assistant with the senior side under Trevor Bayliss and Chris Silverwood, stepping up to lead the team in this winter’s Sydney Test against Australia due to Silverwood’s coronavirus diagnosis. England drew the match to avoid a series whitewash. His spell with the Test side ended in controversy when he was pictured drinking with a group of England and Australia players in the early hours in Tasmania after the 4-0 defeat. Thorpe took his sacking phlegmatically, telling Sportsmail: ‘I’ve had a good run. Longer than most at ECB. ‘I’ve enjoyed every moment with great memories. Life moves on.’ Thorpe signalled his intention to remain in the international arena by taking the Afghanistan job in March. Surrey sent their thoughts to a ‘favourite son’ of the club, writing on Twitter: ‘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

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