Former England cricketer ‘seriously ill’ in hospital

Supporters group the Barmy Army wrote: “Our thoughts are with Graham Thorpe who has recently fallen seriously ill and is receiving treatment. Get well soon Thorpey. ”

Surrey, where Thorpe spent his entire 17-year county career, said in a statement: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Graham, his wife Amanda, and family at this time.

“He is an icon of the English game, known by millions of Cricket fans and forever a favorite son of Surrey CCC.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement: “We stand with Graham, his family and friends in this critical situation. The thoughts and well wishes of the Afghan Nation and the ACB are with Graham and his family for his soonest recovery. ”

Thorpe was sacked by England in February, along with head Coach Chris Silverwood, after their 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia.

His tour ended in controversy when it emerged he had smoked a cigar inside the team hotel and filmed police breaking up a players’ drinking session hours after the end of the final Test.

Thorpe had stepped up to lead the team in the fourth Test in Sydney after Silverwood tested positive for coronavirus. England Secured a draw to avoid a series whitewash.

Following the pair’s axing, he applied for a head coach job at Middlesex but lost out to former international team-mate Richard Johnson.

He began his coaching career in Australia, where he worked with the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner at New South Wales, before being appointed a batting Coach by the ECB.

He was an Assistant with the senior side under both Trevor Bayliss and Silverwood.