Ricky Ponting and Graham Thorpe

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe passed away at the age of 55 due to a long-standing illness, leaving a significant impact on the cricketing community. Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, paid tribute to Thorpe, highlighting his achievements of 6,744 runs in 100 Tests and 2,380 runs in 82 ODIs, and recalling their interactions at Surrey. Ponting shared that Thorpe was affectionately known as 'the little genius' among teammates and was regarded by Wasim Akram as the best left-handed batsman he ever bowled to. Fellow cricketer Mark Butcher also expressed deep sorrow, recalling Thorpe's mentorship and their shared successes at Surrey. The cricket world has come together to mourn a beloved figure, emphasizing the profound loss felt by many, including Ponting, who reached out to his colleagues upon hearing the news. Tributes continue to pour in, underscoring Thorpe's legacy as both a cricketer and a friend.