Graham Thorpe’s widow believes the former England star would still be alive if he had been given better support by cricket chiefs.
Thorpe took his own life aged 55 in August 2024, two and a half years after being axed from his role as England assistant coach.
His death left widow Amanda and his children bereft, while at the inquest, coroner Jonathan Stevens ruled the termination of his contract “had a devastating effect on him” because he “had lost his cricket family”.
The ECB acted after Thorpe filmed a video in which he mocked police officers who were disbanding a group of players and coaches drinking at a hotel after the series, due to COVID-19 restrictions during the 2021-22 Ashes tour to Australia.
But Amanda told talkSPORT’s Head Before Wicket podcast being cut off at a stroke by England cricket had been a huge factor in her husband’s downward spiral.
“Graham was really teetering on the edge on that tour and was absolutely gutted by what happened,” she said.
“He went round on the flight back and apologised personally to every person on that tour.
“Afterwards, If he’d had just a little bit of the support framework there to lean on a bit to just transition a bit more, it would have made all the difference. It’s really clear he’d still be alive.
Thorpe had been undergoing mental health treatment for 18 months ahead of the tour while the ECB provided 10 online counselling sessions after his dismissal.
The month after he was sacked, Thorpe’s counsellor recommended to his GP that he should receive in-person care at a residential facility,
This did not happen and in May 2022 he attempted to kill himself, his injuries requiring two weeks of intensive care.
Amanda, who described the ECB response as “woeful”, added: “As he went through these sessions, it was clear that he wasn’t coping. He was getting worse.
“We really did ask for help. I knew he needed more help than that. And it wasn’t forthcoming.”
While Thorpe was offered a potential England scouting role later in 2022, she added: “It was too late, basically.
“After the crisis he was very ill. He nearly lost his life. He had a stroke. We don’t know how that affected his brain after that.
“The ECB might say, well, we didn’t know how ill he was. Although the doctors he was under did know.
“They then said, ‘Oh, but there’s confidentiality’. There’s got to be some connection (between the ECB and the doctors).”
In response, the ECB described Graham as “a deeply admired and much-loved person.”
“His loss has been felt deeply across the cricketing community and far beyond, and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with his wife Amanda, his children, and all those who loved him,” it added.
“Graham’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges many face with mental health.
“We have met with Amanda to discuss her concerns and have been in regular contact with her and the wider family.”
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
