FORMER ENGLAND CRICKETER GRAHAM THORPE DIES AT 55

His 6,744 runs came at a sterling average of 44.66 at a time when England was struggling. But the gritty, left-handed Thorpe was key to England's gradual improvement. He was also capped 82 times in one-day internationals for 2,380 runs...

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that former England test batter Graham Thorpe has died. He was 55. A stylish and fluid top-order batter, Thorpe played 100 tests for England from 1993 to 2005. He scored 16 hundreds, including on debut against Australia at Trent Bridge.

His 6,744 runs came at a sterling average of 44.66 at a time when England was struggling. But the gritty, left-handed Thorpe was key to England's gradual improvement. He was also capped 82 times in one-day internationals for 2,380 runs.

Thorpe was considered to be at his peak during the winter of 2000-01 when he traveled to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. His 118 with two boundaries in the first test in Lahore set up a series decider in Karachi that he clinched in near darkness with an unbeaten 64. It was England's first test series win against Pakistan in Pakistan since 1961.