When Ben Stokes first stepped foot on the field as England’s new Test skipper, everything was an important one for him. This was the first occasion he led England while donning whites, and it could be a greater occasion for him as he led the Three Lions at the iconic Lord’s cricket stadium in London. While Stokes opted to go for the toss, he enhanced the moment that much more memorable.
England’s new Test skipper Stokes, in a heartfelt gesture, stepped out for the toss during the first Test versus New Zealand at Lord’s sporting a jersey that had the name and Test cap number (564) of the former batsman and batting coach Graham Thorpe, who is now in a critical condition and getting hospital treatment. Stokes also said after the toss that he had a conversation with his wife and that they are glad for the respect that has been afforded to the family thus far.
“Unfortunately Graham Thorpe is unwell and in the hospital. Spoke to his wife and she was grateful and thankful for the privacy the family has received,” said Stokes.
Our captain has a message as he walks out for his first toss.
We are all with you, Thorpey ❤️#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/frhlvtmU2q
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2022
The veteran batsman, who is now 52 years old, competed for England in a total of 100 tests between the years 1993 and 2005, during which time he amassed 6,744 runs with an avg of 44.66 and 16 centuries. From the middle of the 1990s to the beginning of the 2000s, the batter was an essential component of the English test squad. Thorpe went on to have a short career in the media following his retirement, and then he transitioned into the world of coaching.
Following that, he went on to play for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield in 2007, after which he merged the coaching staff for England’s national squad. After beginning his time with the team in the role of batting coach, he then moved on to aid Chris Silverwood in his role as head coach.
Despite England’s disappointing performance in the Ashes 2021-22, including a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Australia, his time with England came to an end. Alongside Silverwood and the previous Director of Cricket Ashley Giles, he was fired from his position.
After just a decade of engagement in the England coaching frame, which drew to a conclusion with England’s 4-0 defeat to Australia in The Ashes, it was reported recently that Thorpe would be taking over as the new head coach of the Afghanistan team.
