Graham Thorpe’s spouse believes that if he had received more assistance from the England and Wales Cricket Board after leaving his coaching position, he might still be alive today.
Thorpe, a highly regarded batsman in his era and England’s former assistant coach until 2021, tragically took his own life in August last year after battling anxiety and depression for an extended period.
During an inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking in July 2025, it was revealed that Thorpe had sunk into depression following his dismissal as a batting coach in 2022 and had attempted suicide on a separate occasion.
Coroner Jonathan Stevens pointed out deficiencies in the care provided to Thorpe by healthcare professionals in the months leading up to his death and ruled it as suicide. Thorpe had been undergoing therapy for his mental well-being for 18 months after parting ways with the ECB.
Stevens acknowledged that the organization had covered treatment costs, hospital stays, and extended his health insurance following his departure in February 2022. Nevertheless, Amanda, his widow, believes more support could have been offered to help him through the transition phase.
She expressed to talkSPORT that had he not felt completely cut off from his cricketing career, he might still be alive today, emphasizing the importance of a support system during such critical periods.
Amanda also criticized the remote support provided as inadequate, stating that despite requesting additional help, it was not adequately provided.
The ECB has been approached for a response.
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