Tributes have been paid to Farnham Cricket Club life member Graham Thorpe, who has died aged 55.

Son of Geoff and Toni, brother of Alan and Ian and uncle to Nathan, Graham played his youth cricket at Farnham before joining Surrey and becoming one of England’s greatest-ever batters.

After his retirement, Graham turned to coaching in Australia before returning to the UK to work with Surrey. He spent 12 years as part of the England coaching staff and was part of the backroom team when England won the world cup in 2019.

Graham’s father Geoff is a former Farnham Cricket Club chairman and his mother Toni was a longstanding scorer and supporter of the club. Brothers Ian and Alan captained Farnham’s first team and his nephew Nathan is part of the first team today.

Farnham Cricket Club chairman Jamie Strachan said: “This is a devastating day for the Farnham Cricket Club community. Graham was a legend of English cricket and our heartfelt condolences go out to Geoff, Ian, Alan and the rest of the Thorpe family at this incredibly sad time.”

Farnham Sports Council chairman David Gill said: “Farnham Sports Council is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of cricket legend Graham Thorpe. He was an incredibly talented and successful Surrey and England cricketer and certainly one of Farnham’s all-time sporting greats. Our deepest condolences to his family and everyone associated with his cricket life.”

Before playing for Farnham, Thorpe played in the I’Anson League for Wrecclesham.

I’Anson League chairman Steve Bradley said: “The I’Anson League are saddened to hear of the sudden death of England cricketer and coach Graham Thorpe.

“Graham started his cricketing career with Wrecclesham CC, in the I’Anson League, at the age of just 13, scoring a century in his first season. He then went on to play for Farnham in the Surrey Championship, before being selected to play for Surrey in June 1988.

“He went on to be a stalwart of the England top order for many years becoming one of the finest left-handed batsmen, having adopted this stance playing cricket in the long but narrow garden of his family home in Wrecclesham, realising he would become more successful against his brothers Ian and Alan.

“He will be sorely missed not only by those who knew him personally, but by the whole cricketing world, including the I’Anson League, where his immense talent was first spotted.

“Our deepest condolences go to Amanda, Geoff, who currently umpires in the I’Anson League, Ian and Alan, and the rest of the Thorpe family at this very difficult time.”