Editing Graham Thorpe (section)

===1998===
England's tour of West Indies in early 1998 began dramatically as the first Test was abandoned after an hour due to a dangerous pitch. The uneven bounce led to several batsmen being struck including Thorpe who was hit twice during his 10-ball innings, play was ended after the second such blow. The West Indies won two of the next three Tests with Thorpe only managing 111 runs across those matches.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Atherton predicts a return to full productivity |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%252F0F924FBAB132C7BA |access-date=27 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=6 March 1998}}</ref>

On the first day of the fifth Test, he [[Retired (cricket)|retired hurt]] at lunch due to back spasms with England at 55/4. After a painkilling injection he was able to return to the crease at the fall of the next wicket and batting alongside [[Mark Ramprakash]] ended the day unbeaten on 50.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Ramprakash rescues England |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%252F0F924FFAC0F2AF60 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=13 March 1998}}</ref> The following day Thorpe reached his sixth Test century, dismissed for 103 having batted for 395 minutes and shared in a 205-run sixth wicket partnership with Ramprakash.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Ramprakash ends wait for fulfilment |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%252F0F9250079183CAB1 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=14 March 1998}}</ref> In setting up a second innings declaration Thorpe added 36 off 35 balls which included three pulled fours in a single [[Curtly Ambrose]] over, however final day rain denied England a chance of squaring the series.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Indies v England, 5th Test, Bridgetown, March 12 – 16, 1998 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-west-indies-1997-98-61751/west-indies-vs-england-5th-test-63787/full-scorecard |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=28 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153349.html |chapter=West Indies v England, Fifth Test Match |access-date=28 November 2023 |year=1999 |title=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack}}</ref> He was reprimanded for dissent by the [[match referee]] in the final Test following his first innings dismissal. Thorpe remained at the wicket for too long on being given out lbw, replays did show Thorpe had got an inside edge on the ball.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Otway |first1=Graham |title=Thorpe given reprimand |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%252F0F92A52D44D0A1F4 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=The Sunday Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=22 March 1998}}</ref> In the second innings and facing a large deficit, Thorpe and Hussain put on a partnership of 168 in attempting to draw the match, however the run out of Hussain prompted a collapse of seven wickets for 26 runs as England succumbed to an innings defeat. Thorpe was left 84 not out having faced 322 balls.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Ruthless Walsh has final say as run-out prompts collapse |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%252F0F9250866A7CDD64 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=25 March 1998}}</ref> His series tally was 339 runs at 42.37.<ref name="testseries"/> Thorpe played in the first game of the subsequent ODI series before returning home early from the tour due to the back injury sustained in the fifth Test.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bad back forces Thorpe home |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-bad-back-forces-thorpe-home-1154018.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Independent |date=2 April 1998}}</ref>

Thorpe was named in England's ODI squad for the home series with South Africa but suffered a reoccurrence of the back injury in a practise session and missed all three matches.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Hollioake puts on his thinking cap |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%252F0F925285665C1C83 |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=21 May 1998}}</ref> To prove his fitness ahead of the Test series he played a County Championship match against Kent and took six catches in their first innings, one short of the first-class record for a fielder.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collis |first1=John |title=Kent caught out as Thorpe fights back |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-kent-caught-out-as-thorpe-fights-back-1156326.html |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=The Independent |date=31 May 1998}}</ref> Across the first two Tests he scored 63 runs,<ref name="testinn"/> before his back injury flared up during the Old Trafford Test. He was moved down the order to number eight in the first innings but managed only a six-ball duck.<ref>{{cite web |title=England v South Africa, 3rd Test, Manchester, July 02 – 06, 1998 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-england-1998-61818/england-vs-south-africa-3rd-test-63806/full-scorecard |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=29 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilde |first1=Simon |title=England stumble towards disaster |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%252F0F92A4DC6D724D9F |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=The Sunday Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=5 July 1998}}</ref> He lasted just three balls in the second innings as he completed the only [[Duck (cricket)#Pair|pair]] of his Test career.<ref name="testinn"/> The injury meant he was not selected for the fourth Test bringing an end to his run of 44 consecutive Test appearances.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilde |first1=Simon |title=Stage set for Hick to deliver |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%252F0F92A4D131596105 |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=The Sunday Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=19 July 1998}}</ref> After an operation to remove a cyst from his lower back,<ref>{{cite news |title=Graham 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%252F0F9254C669D7754E |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=29 July 1998}}</ref> he returned to cricket for Surrey's final match of the season against Leicestershire.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hobson |first1=Richard |title=Surrey face testing times as leaders aim to prove point |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%252F0F9256196E4FF96E |access-date=30 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=17 September 1998}}</ref>

Thorpe was included in England's 17-man squad for the [[English cricket team in Australia in 1998–99|1998–99 Ashes series]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pringle |first1=Derek |title=Crawley creeps into final berth |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-crawley-creeps-into-final-berth-1195522.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Independent |date=2 September 1998}}</ref> He began the tour well by scoring a career-best 223 not out in a warm-up match against [[South Australia cricket team|South Australia]], putting together an unbroken partnership of 377 with Ramprakash which broke the record for highest stand by an overseas team in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Impressive England batter way to record |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%252F0F9257B740ADF911 |access-date=30 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=11 November 1998}}</ref> In the first Test he scored 77 but his back problem resurfaced and he missed the second Test.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153243.html |chapter=England in Australia, 1998–99 |access-date=30 November 2023 |year=2000 |title=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack}}</ref> He suffered more back pain while batting in the tour game against [[Victoria cricket team|Victoria]] which forced an end to his tour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pringle |first1=Derek |title=Thorpe back in back trouble |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-thorpe-back-in-back-trouble-1190098.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Independent |date=8 December 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Alan |title=Thorpe bows to inevitable |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%252F0F9258B96713C987 |access-date=30 November 2023 |work=The Times |via=Newsbank |url-access=subscription |date=9 December 1998}}</ref>