Graham Thorpe’s widow is of the opinion that if he had received more support from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after leaving his coaching position, he might still be alive today. Thorpe, a highly esteemed batter and former assistant coach for England, tragically took his own life in August last year after battling with anxiety and depression.
During an inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking in July 2025, it was revealed that Thorpe had struggled with depression following his dismissal as a batting coach in 2022 and had attempted suicide previously. The coroner, Jonathan Stevens, pointed out deficiencies in the care provided to Thorpe by healthcare professionals leading up to his death, ultimately ruling it as a suicide. Thorpe had been undergoing therapy for mental health issues for 18 months before parting ways with the ECB.
Stevens acknowledged that the ECB had financed Thorpe’s treatment, hospital stays, and extended his health insurance coverage post his departure in February 2022. Nonetheless, Amanda, his widow, believes that more could have been done to support him during his transition period and help him feel more connected.
Amanda expressed her belief that had Thorpe not experienced such a drastic upheaval in his cricketing career, he might still be alive today. She emphasized the importance of having a support system in place during difficult transitions. She criticized the remote support provided as inadequate and felt that more assistance should have been offered to Thorpe.
The ECB has been reached out to for their response to these claims.
In times of need, individuals can contact The Samaritans for support, available 24/7 by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org, or visiting their website. Remember, your well-being matters.