England's Joe Root Pays Emotional Tribute To Graham Thorpe

Thorpe alongside Joe Root in 2022 [x]Thorpe alongside Joe Root in 2022 [x]

England batter, Joe Root paid an emotional tribute to former cricketer Graham Thorpe, who passed away recently, aged 55.

Root stated that Thorpe had immense influence on his career, and without his guidance and backing, he wouldn't have been a great player. Thorpe tragically died on August 4, after battling from depression for the last couple of years.

Root gives emotional tribute to his mentor, Graham Thorpe

The England great served as team's assistant coach on several occasions, until the Ashes in 2021, and ahead of the series against Sri Lanka, Root has paid a tribute to his former mentor.


Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said: "A lot of my interactions with Graham and where his biggest influences came were as a coach when he started the second phase of his career. It was quite surreal first getting to meet someone of his stature and talking about the game. 


I worked very closely with him for the next 12 years or so. He had a huge influence on my career and arguably without his backing and pushing my case, I may not have had the career I've had," said Root.

Thorpe was also a part of the coaching team when England won the ODI World Cup in 2019.

Talking about Root, he had a terrific Test series against West Indies last month, and will be eager to carry on the good work when the hosts, England take on Sri Lanka in a three-match Test series, starting today.