Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe dies aged 55

Thorpe, who played 100 Tests for England, dies after a short illness

Former England and Surrey batter dies aged 55

Former England and Surrey batter Graham Thorpe has died aged 55, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced.

Thorpe, who played 100 Tests for England and was regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, died on Monday after a short illness.

The ECB said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to announce that former England cricketer Graham Thorpe has passed away at the age of 55.

"Thorpe was a fine batter and an excellent coach, with vast experience at both international and county level."

Thorpe played 100 Tests for England, scoring 16,783 runs at an average of 44.66, including 16 centuries and 48 half-centuries.

He also played 82 one-day internationals for England, scoring 2,395 runs at an average of 35.77, including four centuries and 13 half-centuries.

After retiring from playing, Thorpe went on to coach England, Surrey and Afghanistan.

Tributes have been paid to Thorpe from across the cricketing world, with former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook among those to express their sadness.

Vaughan said: "Hugely sad to wake up to the news that Graham Thorpe has passed away this morning.

"Thorpey you were an absolute ledge on and off the field, always great fun to be around, funniest bloke you could wish to meet and then you had the skill to go with the bantz."

Cook said: "So sad to hear about the passing of Graham Thorpe.

"He was a brilliant cricketer, coach and a wonderful man who I was lucky enough to play with and against, as well as having the pleasure of being coached by him.

"My thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time."