Editing Graham Thorpe (section)

===Early career===
Thorpe made his first-class debut aged 18 for Surrey against [[Leicestershire County Cricket Club|Leicestershire]] in June 1988. Batting at [[batting order (cricket)|number eight]] he made scores of 15 and 16 and also claimed two wickets,<ref>{{cite web |title=Surrey v Leicestershire, The Oval, 11, 13, 14 June 1988 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/50/50073.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> his first wicket being that of [[David Gower]] [[Leg before wicket|lbw]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Jack |title=A notable scalp for Thorpe |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F90F6F6D3B7E55F |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=14 June 1988}}</ref> Just a few days later Thorpe scored his maiden first-class century against [[Cambridge University cricket team|Cambridge University]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Surrey v Cambridge University, The Oval, 15, 16, 17 June 1988 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/50/50103.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> his unbeaten century taking 122 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Geoffrey |title=Cowdrey's gamble is justified |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F90F6FAB80819E0 |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=16 June 1988}}</ref> He made two further first-team appearances that season, scoring 19 against [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]] in the [[County Championship]] and 15 on his [[List A cricket|List A]] debut against [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Surrey v Derbyshire, The Oval, 25, 27, 28 June 1988 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/50/50171.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Glamorgan v Surrey, Ebbw Vale, 7 August 1988 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/50/50392.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> He established himself in the Surrey team in 1989, scoring his maiden Championship century at [[May's Bounty|Basingstoke]] against a [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] attack featuring [[Malcolm Marshall]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire v Surrey, May's Bounty, Basingstoke on 7th, 8th, 9th June 1989 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/51/51349.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> He surpassed 1,000 runs for the season at an [[batting average (cricket)|average]] of 45,<ref name="fcseason">{{cite web |title=First-Class Batting and Fielding In Each Season by Graham Thorpe |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Players/2/2092/f_Batting_by_Season.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> which led to selection for [[England Lions cricket team|England A]] on their tour of Zimbabwe in 1989–90.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Botham omitted as Capel emerges from the shadow |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F91033B2AA72E32 |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=9 September 1989}}</ref> He would go on three further tours with England A.<ref name="coty"/>

The 1990 season broke records for high scoring,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wright |first1=Graeme |chapter-url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153145.html |chapter=Notes by the Editor |access-date=13 November 2023 |year=1991 |title=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack}}</ref> however Thorpe struggled with an average of 27 and made just three half-centuries from 18 matches, he ended the campaign playing for the second XI.<ref name="fcseason"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Second Eleven Championship Matches Played by Graham Thorpe |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Players/2/2092/Second_Eleven_Championship_Matches.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> The following season was more successful, he scored his maiden List A century against [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] when opening the batting.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lancashire v Surrey, Old Trafford, 18 August 1991 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/54/54796.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> Towards the end of the season he had a spell of three centuries in five County Championship [[innings]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Streeton |first1=Richard |title=Thorpe sets Surrey an example |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F91EECDC50545EB |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=12 September 1991}}</ref> He also top scored with 93 in the [[1991 NatWest Trophy|Natwest Trophy]] final although Surrey [[Result (cricket)|lost]] by four wickets to Hampshire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire v Surrey Lord's Cricket Ground, 7 September 1991 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.com/Surrey/Scorecards/54/54872.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref> He was awarded his county cap on 12 September 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Streeton |first1=Richard |title=Surrey struggle in last hour |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F91EECFF1402B10 |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=13 September 1991}}</ref>

Thorpe had his most productive season of his career in 1992, amassing 1,895 runs at an average of 51.21.<ref name="fcseason"/> He was a consistent scorer recording fifties in the County Championship 13 times before finally passing three figures on 31 August.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fairall |first1=Barrie |title=Cork adds fizz with five |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-roundup-cork-adds-fizz-with-five-1548727.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Independent |date=1 September 1992}}</ref> He converted the innings against [[Somerset County Cricket Club|Somerset]] into a maiden double century and shared in a stand of 211 from 34 overs with [[Ali Brown]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Geoffrey |title=Brown tears into Somerset attack |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F91F54815E969C1 |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=2 September 1992}}</ref>