The widow of England cricket legend Graham Thorpe has stated she believes her husband would still be alive today if he had received greater support from the sport's governing body following the end of his coaching career.
A Tragic Loss to the Cricket World
Graham Thorpe, one of the most celebrated batsmen of his generation, took his own life on 4 August 2024 after a long and difficult battle with anxiety and depression. The inquest into his death, held at Surrey Coroner's Court in July 2025, heard how the sportsman had spiralled into depression after losing his position as an England assistant coach in early 2022.
Thorpe stepped down from his role as batting coach in February 2022 following England's Ashes defeat in Australia. The coroner, Jonathan Stevens, revealed that the 55-year-old had received therapy for his mental health for 18 months while still employed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
A Plea for Help That Wasn't Enough
Speaking to talkSPORT, Thorpe's widow, Amanda, gave a heartbreaking account of her husband's struggle. She asserted that if the entire rug of his cricketing career had not been pulled from under him so completely, he would still be with them today.
It was just too much - the cliff, the whole mental breakdown of 'I am no longer in that family', Ms Thorpe explained. She expressed her firm belief that a more robust support framework to help him transition out of the sport would have made all the difference.
She was highly critical of the remote support offered after his departure, describing it as woeful. Despite the ECB having funded treatment and extended his health insurance, Amanda Thorpe stated that it became clear her husband was not coping and was getting worse during his therapy sessions.
We really did ask for help, she said. I knew he needed more help than that and it wasn't forthcoming. The coroner's report noted there were failings in the provision of his care by health professionals in the months leading to his death, and a conclusion of suicide was recorded.
The ECB's Response and a Lasting Legacy
In a statement, an ECB spokesperson paid tribute to Thorpe, calling him not only one of England's greatest cricketers, but also a deeply admired and much loved person. They acknowledged that his passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges many face with mental health.
The spokesperson confirmed that the inquest was held with the ECB's full support and that the organisation has met with Amanda Thorpe to discuss her concerns, maintaining regular contact with the family.
Graham Thorpe's tragic death has cast a stark light on the immense pressures faced by professional athletes and the critical need for continuous, effective mental health support, both during and after their careers.
