Graham Thorpe's widow has hit out at the network within English cricket, declaring her husband would still be alive if he was given better support.

Thorpe took his own life in August 2024, aged 55, and is survived by his second wife Amanda, whom he married in 2007, and four children, Henry, Amelia, Kitty and Emma. He separated from first wife Nicola in 2002.

His death came two-and-a-half years after being sacked as England assistant coach - which, at the inquest, coroner Jonathan Stevens determined 'had a devastating effect on him' as he 'had lost his cricket family'.

Thorpe's dismissal came off the back of a disastrous Ashes tour in Australia, where England lost the Covid-affected series 4-0, and then being spoken to by police in Hobart after smoking a cigar inside the premises during a drinking session that lasted until 6am.

The ECB launched an investigation in January 2022 after footage taken by Thorpe of Tasmanian police telling five Ashes stars - including Joe Root and James Anderson - to go to bed following a complaint about 'intoxicated people' ended up on the Sydney Morning Herald website.

And reflecting on that incident, Amanda believes that had a detrimental effect on the downward turn of Thorpe.

'Graham was really teetering on the edge on that tour and was absolutely gutted by what happened,' she told talkSPORT's Head Before Wicket podcast.

'He went round on the flight back and apologised personally to every person on that tour.

'Afterwards, If he'd had just a little bit of the support framework there to lean on a bit to just transition a bit more, it would have made all the difference. It's really clear he'd still be alive.'

Prior to that Ashes tour, Thorpe had been undergoing health treatment for 18 months, while the ECB provided 10 online counselling sessions after he was sacked.

In May 2022, three months after being sacked, Thorpe tried to take his own life with his brain injuries leaving him in intensive care for a fortnight.

Amanda is damning in her assessment of those ECB counselling sessions - stating that they asked for more help but it never arrived.

'As he went through these sessions, it was clear that he wasn't coping. He was getting worse.

'We really did ask for help. I knew he needed more help than that. And it wasn't forthcoming.'

Thorpe was offered a potential role within the England department later in 2022, but it was too late, adds Amanda. 

'It was too late, basically. After the crisis he was very ill. He nearly lost his life. He had a stroke. We don't know how that affected his brain after that.

'The ECB might say, well, we didn't know how ill he was. Although the doctors he was under did know.

'They then said, "Oh, but there's confidentiality". There's got to be some connection (between the ECB and the doctors).'

An ECB spokesperson described Thorpe as 'a deeply admired and much-loved person', saying: 'His loss has been felt deeply across the cricketing community and far beyond, and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with his wife Amanda, his children, and all those who loved him.

'Graham's passing is a heart-breaking reminder of the challenges many face with mental health. His death was examined by a coroner; the inquest was held earlier this year with full support from the ECB. We have met with Amanda to discuss her concerns and have been in regular contact with her and the wider family.'

Amanda Thorpe’s interview is part of the talkSPORT podcast Head Before Wicket. 

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