Graham Thorpe ‘seriously ill’ and receiving treatment in hospital

The former Surrey and England cricketer Graham Thorpe, 52, is seriously ill in hospital, according to a statement issued by the Professional Cricketers’ Association at the request of his family.

“Graham Thorpe has recently fallen seriously ill and is currently in hospital receiving treatment,” the PCA said. “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.”

Thorpe, a left-handed batter who became one of the finest English players of his generation, played 100 Tests and 82 one-day internationals during a 12-year international career, before retiring in 2005. He scored 49 first-class centuries and averaged 45.04.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Graham, his wife, Amanda, and family at this time,” his former county said. “He is an icon of the English game, known by millions of cricket fans and forever a favourite son of Surrey CCC.”

After his playing career Thorpe moved into coaching, starting in Australia where he worked with Steve Smith and David Warner at New South Wales, before joining England initially as a batting coach. He had most recently been assistant coach on the Ashes tour, which ended in a 4-0 defeat.

After that tour Thorpe, along with the head coach, Chris Silverwood, and the director of cricket, Ashley Giles, was sacked as the England and Wales Cricket Board set its sights on a “red‑ball reset”.

Thorpe was named in March as head coach of the Afghanistan men’s team and was due to take charge of the side for the first time in Zimbabwe in June.