Graham Thorpe MBE
August 1969 - August 2024
We are saddened to announce the passing of England cricket icon Graham Thorpe. His friend, alumnus Tim Laskey, has shared a poem that he has written as a tribute to Graham, honouring his incredible sporting career. Tim trained Graham throughout his professional career, focusing on sport-specific training. You can read it below. Graham previously worked at Â鶹ֱ²¥, based at the England and Wales Cricket Board on campus.
The Legend The Legend of Thorpey
The Man
Hello there Mate. Thorpey's the name.
But you'll know that if you're into Cricket.
I was usually at the top of my game
when I was out there at the wicket.
Left handed Bat. You know where I'm at.
Strong Defence and so Technically Sound.
Patience personified - then I'd explode!!!
dispatching loose balls all around the ground.
Quick off the mark and fast on my feet,
I'd always steal a quick single or two.
But I just loved to put the bad balls away.
Well, if you can - then why wouldn't you?
My shot selection was second to none -
even if I say so myself.
Hook. Pull. Sweep. Cut. Steer. Glide and Drive.
Oh no, nothing was left on the shelf.
I faced the fastest and fiercest around.
Many balls were marked down as a "dot".
Battered and bruised, I still took runs off them all.
But, I never liked "needles" a lot!
Wisden Cricketer of the Year Ninety-Eight (98).
One Hundred (100) Tests. ODI's - quite a few.
My First Class Average was about Forty-Five (45).
Thousands of runs. Of course, BIG Hundreds too.
Battling away. Sometimes batting all day.
I scored Two Hundred (200) not out in a Test.
As you know, I'm unusually modest,
but I usually played close to my best.
The Message
Please don't think that all this is easy.
For SUCCESS there's a HIGH PRICE to pay.
Training. Practice. Problems. Your Personal Life.
No-one becomes a Star in a day.
Of course you need Talent. That's not enough.
Your work ethic's a prerequisite too.
Be tough on yourself and NEVER GIVE UP.
Mental Strength must characterise You.
The Method
Write your GOALS down. Exact. Detailed. Precise.
Make them Personal. Positive. Present.
When you VISUALISE, use all your Senses.
Add Emotion to enhance Your Intent.
Train hard. Get Fitter. Believe in Yourself.
Keep Practising to perfect your Skill Set.
Visualise your Goals. Use Affirmations.
Pursue SUCCESS.....and the more you will get.
Making It
I practised each stroke thousands of times.
Technique. Timing. Shot placement as well.
Footwork. Balance. Hips. Head and Hands.
Eye-Hand Coordination too - you can tell.
Training was Relentless. Torturous. Tough.
Weights. Real Runner. Stretching. Weights. More Weights still.
Aximax Circuit - Pulse Rate Two Thirty (230)!
And hellish reps up Hankley's sandy Hill!
Moving On
There's an old saying, "Practice makes perfect".
Wrong! Only PERFECT PRACTICE does that.
That's why players need a better batter,
to demonstrate HOW they could and should bat.
Now I'm in charge of England's Batting,
here's my Unequivocal Guarantee.
Any batter can become a Better Batter,
If they learn to BAT A BIT MORE LIKE ME!
and More
If you dream of attacking Spin Bowling,
and, as a batter, you aim to succeed,
log onto the ECB Website.............
It's The "GRAHAM THORPE MASTERCLASS" you need!