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. http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/index/-/grahamthorpe Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:08:21 -0800 Yahoo! http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/110/proteas-embark-on-toughest-challenge/ <p><a href="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/grahamthorpe/grahamthorpe-633393195-1265385797.jpg?ymFVdoCDwCZxbuuK"><img align="left" border="0" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/grahamthorpe/grahamthorpe-633393195-1265385797_thumb.jpg?ymFVdoCDohoJ4SBD"/></a>The upcoming <a href="http://cricket.yahoo. ... Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:08:21 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/109/pakistan-in-disarray/ <p>Pakistan's chief selector Iqbal Qasim has described the country's slump to a <a href="http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/series/home?series_id=1189" title="Pakistan in Australia 2010" target="_blank">5-0 whitewash in Australia</a> as &quot;pathetic&quot;&nbsp;- and he is dead right.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/grahamthorpe/grahamthorpe-869482642-1265274805.jpg?ym1OCoCDgQFiv7uF"><img align="left" border="0" src="http://a323.yahoofs. ... Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:18:27 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/107/no-harmy-in-picking-shahzad/ <p>Yorkshire seamer Ajmal Shahzad was one of three uncapped players selected by England for their tour to Bangladesh, but he is not the Steve Harmison replacement that England have been talking about.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It is great to see James Tredwell, Michael Carberry and Shahzad (pictured) all incorporated into the squad for a tour which is being used largely for development purposes, but the trio should not be compared to previous players, such as Harmison and Marcus Trescothick. ... Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:51:29 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/106/resting-strauss-a-weak-move/ <p>I am not entirely in favour of Andrew Strauss taking a rest to leave Alastair Cook to lead the side in the tour of Bangladesh over Easter.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Strauss and England team director Andy Flower have taken big strides together since they combined forces, and I cannot see the need to tinker around when consistency is needed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I understand it when England say that the schedule is extremely busy, but Strauss does not play Twenty20 cricket. ... Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:16:35 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/81/harper-must-be-shown-the-door/ <p>Daryl Harper is simply not good enough to be a Test match umpire, and it is most definitely time for the ICC to finally get rid of the Australian.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>His presence is making a mockery of the elite panel the governing body have in place, and he must be cast aside now as a matter of urgency because what we saw in this series is not good for the game. ... Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:54:02 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/80/dont-rule-out-swann-omission/ <p>The fourth and final Test between England and South Africa at the Wanderers is set to be a classic and it may well come down to which side is the bravest.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>England have performed superbly to edge out their hosts over the course of the first three Tests and have displayed real character in the process.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But they must now finish the job on what will be a very interesting wicket. ... Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:02:03 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/79/test-cricket-revived-by-sensational-series/ <p>The importance of such a competitive and exciting series as the one between South Africa and England goes much wider than the contest itself - it's just what Test cricket needs.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In this fickle era of fast-food cricket and quick thrills, this series has once again shown the incomparable beauty of Test cricket.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's funny how at certain points in the history of the game, a series such as this can remind everyone of the value of the longer format. ... Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:18:12 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/78/composure-critical-for-england-at-cape-town/ <p>England will still be buzzing after their emphatic innings victory at Kingsmead, but they will need to calm down quickly to face South Africa's counter-attack at Cape Town.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Proteas are an exceptionally combative, proud side and Graeme Smith and coach Mickey Arthur will have their team in a fervour ahead of the third Test. ... Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:14:50 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/77/inspired-england-hit-new-heights/ <p>England's innings victory over South Africa at Kingsmead could well be regarded as a coming-of-age moment for Andrew Strauss's side, who are blossoming into quite a formidable outfit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It was one of the best England performances abroad that I can remember in recent times: for an all-round performance overseas there are very few to come close to matching it. ... Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:11:12 -0800 Graham Thorpe http://cricket.yahoo.com/columns/grahamthorpe/75/review-of-the-cricketing-year-2009/ <p>2009 has been a fantastic year for cricket, with England regaining the Ashes, and some incredible moments. I have picked out a few key incidents and performances of the year, and I take a look forward to the coming 12 months.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Greatest match</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It would have to be the Ashes Test at the Oval this summer - it had everything: drama, tension, excitement and with the whole series at stake. ... Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:14:59 -0800 Graham Thorpe