Graham Thorpe blog

Graham Thorpe was a mainstay of the Surrey and England middle order for over a decade. The nuggety left-hander scored 6744 Test runs at 44.66 including 16 centuries and he also reached the milestone of 100 Tests. He spent 18 years as a first-class cricketer and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1998. He was awarded the MBE in 2006 for his services to the game and has now returned to The Oval as the club's specialist batting coach.

England can capitalise on SA complacency

Nov 6 8:05 pm

Unlike most people, I genuinely think England are more than capable of beating South Africa in the one-day series. England have always been a confidence side and if the squad can settle quickly then who knows how successful they can be against a... Read more...

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Unconvincing Cook a major gamble

Thu, November 5, 2009, 5:42 pm EST

I am very unconvinced by the selection of Alastair Cook in the one-day and Twenty20 squads - it represents a huge gamble from England. It is nothing but a risky move from the management and he has to show something in a coloured England shirt that... Read more...

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Experience eluded English teams

Mon, October 26, 2009, 9:50 pm EST

The two English sides - Somerset and Sussex - did not set the Champions League on fire, but that was mainly to do with their inexperience of playing Indian conditions. There is not enough international experience in Somerset or Sussex's squads and... Read more...

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Banish fitness doubts for Bangladesh tour

Wed, October 14, 2009, 9:14 pm EST

Banish fitness doubts for Bangladesh tourI am all in favour of key England players being given a break in the winter tour of Bangladesh, including the captain Andrew Strauss. The skipper has suggested that players may be rested for the trip in... Read more...

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Champions League a priceless experience

Tue, October 13, 2009, 5:03 pm EST

The inaugural Champions League in India is an intriguing competition for the public to follow and it has everyone in the game very excited for the opportunities it will create. I would definitely see the tournament as very close to international... Read more...

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Watson and White welcome in new era

Wed, October 7, 2009, 2:55 pm EST

New Zealand had Australia under the cosh early in their innings, but Cameron White and Shane Watson showed immense character in steering their side to victory. Once Watson and White had weathered the storm after Tim Paine and Ricky Ponting had... Read more...

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Morgan has been a revelation

Thu, October 1, 2009, 3:21 am EST

Eoin Morgan has been a revelation and England coach Andy Flower will be delighted that he has produced as his talent suggested he might. England have long needed someone to inject some fire and aggression in the middle-order, and Morgan has proved... Read more...

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Tall order for England in South Africa

Fri, September 25, 2009, 5:03 am EST

England start their ICC Champions Trophy campaign against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Friday - and it will be a tricky opener. Sri Lanka lost to India in the final of the Triangular Series recently and they'll be looking to come back hard in this... Read more...

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Freddie not being unloyal

Thu, September 17, 2009, 2:25 pm EST

Andrew Flintoff has a contract with Lancashire, but he is essentially a freelance cricketer and everyone in the game will be intrigued to see how his career progresses from here. Many will see this as an unhealthy situation for the game, freelance... Read more...

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Denly has a chance to shine

Wed, September 2, 2009, 3:39 pm EST

Joe Denly has a very exciting opportunity to stake a claim for an England Test place in the upcoming one-day series against Australia. He's capable of making some good strides, especially if he's given the opportunity to open the batting, and I... Read more...

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