ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes dons jersey bearing name, cap number of Graham Thorpe during toss against New Zealand

ENG vs NZ: England Test Captain Ben Stokes wore a jersey with the name and Test cap number of former batter and batting instructor Graham Thorpe, who is severely unwell and receiving treatment at a hospital, out for the toss in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

At the toss, Stokes also mentioned that he spoke with his wife and expressed gratitude for the family’s seclusion 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.

Between 1993 and 2005, the 52-year-old former hitter represented England in 100 tests, scoring 6,744 runs at an average of 44.66 and 16 tonnes. From the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, the batter was an important member of England’s test team.

Thorpe spent a brief time in the media following retirement before returning to coaching. After a time in the Sheffield Shield in New South Wales in 2007, he joined England’s squad coaching staff. He first joined the team as a batting coach before becoming Chris Silverwood’s assistant coach. After a 4-0 loss to Australia in the Ashes 2021-22, he, along with Silverwood and previous Director of Cricket Ashley Giles, were fired from England.

Thorpe was just named the new head coach of Afghanistan. Following a decade as part of England’s coaching staff, which ended with a 4-0 loss to Australia in The Ashes.

When it came to the game, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. Their at-bat is currently underway.

Both teams are playing a three-match Test series. With the next one starting on June 10 and the last one starting on June 23. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship, which runs from 2022 to 2023.

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