Graham Thorpe’s wife reveals cricket great’s tragic cause of death

Graham Thorpe’s wife has revealed the cricket legend’s cause of death as she opened up on his mental health battles.

Graham Thorpe’s wife has revealed the cricket legend took his own life as she opened up on his mental health battles.

Thorpe died aged 55 last week after a long and illustrious career for England and Surrey.

The dad-of-four had been seriously ill in hospital in May 2022 after trying to commit suicide.

He made a recovery but took his own life on Sunday, August 4, his wife Amanda Thorpe said as reported by The Sun.

“Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better,” Amanda told The Times.

“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him.”

She added: “We are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”

Amanda said Graham had suffered from major depression and anxiety “for a couple of years”.

She said her husband was admitted to an intensive care unit in May 2022 after making an attempt on his life.

Amanda said: “Despite glimpses of hope and of the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times got very severe.

“We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments but unfortunately none of them really seemed to work.

“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health.

“But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.”

Match officials and players in The Hundred competition observe a minute's silence in tribute to Graham Thorpe in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and scored a century on his first Ashes appearance, becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years.

He was an England regular and went on to play 100 Tests, scoring 16 centuries and featuring 82 times for the ODI side, as well as enjoying a 17-year career with Surrey.

His final Test appearance came in June 2005 before he was omitted from that summer’s victorious Ashes series and called time on his international career.

In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Graham Thorpe, MBE, has passed away.

“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death.

“More than one of England’s finest-ever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.

Thorpe posing for a portrait during an England Test squad announcement in 2020. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a 13-year international career brought so much happiness to his teammates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike.

“Later, as a coach, he guided the best England Men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.

“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.

“We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan led tributes to his former teammate.

Vaughan said: “RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career, you were a great player and a brilliant teammate.

“You have gone far too young but you leave as an England cricket legend.”

Posting on Twitter, Vaughan added: “Thoughts with all who knew Thorpey and to all the family xxx.”

Thorpe stayed in the game as a coach after his retirement from playing.

He moved to NSW where he worked with a young Steve Smith and David Warner.

He later returned to work as a coach with England between 2010 and 2022.

Andrew Strauss and Thorpe celebrate an England Test win over South Africa in 2004. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Thorpe took charge of his country in the familiar surroundings of the Sydney Cricket Ground after Chris Silverwood was laid low by coronavirus.

He secured a nailbiting draw to avoid a seemingly inevitable Ashes whitewash.

Steve Elworthy, Surrey chief executive, said “Everyone associated with the club is devastated by the tragic news of Graham’s passing.

“He achieved remarkable feats for club and country and was a hero to so many cricket fans.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and friends, to whom we will offer any support that we are able to.

“We ask that everyone respects the privacy of the family at this incredibly difficult time.”

The Professional Cricketers’ Association shared a statement on behalf of Thorpe’s family in May 2022, saying the England legend had “fallen seriously ill” and was in hospital receiving treatment.

“His prognosis is unclear at this stage... our thoughts are with Graham and his family,” the statement read.

He is survived by his wife Amanda and four children, Henry, Amelia, Kitty and Emma.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission