Former England batter and coach Graham Thorpe 'seriously ill' in hospital

The 52-year-old had been appointed head coach of Afghanistan in March

Graham Thorpe left his role as England assistant coach in February after the 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia. AFP

Former England batter and assistant coach Graham Thorpe is “seriously ill” in hospital, the Professional Cricketers' Association said on Tuesday.

Thorpe, who played 100 tests for England between 1993-2005, had been named head coach of the Afghanistan senior men's team in March.

“Graham Thorpe has recently fallen seriously ill and is currently in hospital receiving treatment,” the PCA said in a statement made at the request of Thorpe’s family

“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, 52, was renowned as one of the finest English players of his generation, scoring 6,744 runs in 100 Tests for England, including 16 centuries, at an average of 44.66.

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. Thorpe left his role at the end of the Ashes but signalled his intention to remain in the international arena by taking the Afghanistan job in March.

Surrey, the club where Thorpe spent his entire 17-year first-class career, said: “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.”