00:00In this video, we take you back to the challenging subcontinental conditions of Kennedy where
00:05England's seasoned campaigner Graham Thorpe showcased his class and temperament in the
00:09first innings of the second test against Sri Lanka, played from March 7 to 11, 2001.
00:15Facing quality spin on a turning track, Graham Thorpe stood tall with a fighting 59 of 153
00:21balls, occupying the crease for 217 minutes and stroking six boundaries. It was not a flashy
00:28innings. It was a masterclass in patience, footwork and gritting in Sri Lankan spinners.
00:33Batting on a wicket offering plenty of turn, Graham Thorpe's technique and calm presence
00:38helped Anker's England innings. This knock might not be talked about often, but it was crucial in
00:44the context of the match. So sit back and enjoy these innings, a reminder of how to bat with
00:48purpose and composure in testing Asian conditions.
00:56Left-handed Graham Thorpe replaces the other left-hander Marcus Treskothik.
01:04And he's good to see too. England move on 48 for two.
01:10Help the spinners around. He's done it this time.
01:14That's a magnificent shot. And what a way to bring up 4,000 runs in chess cricket for Graham Thorpe.
01:20Becomes the 22nd player to achieve that amazing landmark.
01:26Well played him.
01:29Very pleasing shot too.
01:31Swift footwork. Get to the pitch of the ball, down the ground, dead straight.
01:36Just watch the footwork here. He's played back up to now and then takes one chassis step down the ground.
01:51Good balance.
01:54Is that fielding position just a little bit deeper, square of the wicket.
01:58Up and over the top. Beautifully timed again by Thorpe.
02:07Don't worry about the rest.
02:08Muraleek.
02:10He's only human and once again,
02:12not much happening with the field.
02:14Mid-on just dropping back a little, just a touch.
02:17Mainly to this partnership.
02:19Worth 53 now.
02:22Oh, that's well bowled. Very well bowled by Muralithran.
02:27Thorpe just giving himself a little bit of room to try and hit through the offside.
02:30But it's beautifully flighted.
02:32That's the one he throws up above the eye level.
02:35Thorpe not quite to the pitch.
02:37I'm not sure it carried though.
02:48Wonderful urgency about England's batting.
02:51Controlled urgency.
02:52This is two balls ago, that beautifully blighted ball.
02:55It landed short of slip, I think.
02:59Just short.
03:02It's going to be led bys and probably four of them.
03:10That ball will race away across this parched brown outfield.
03:14Four led bys.
03:16Every run cheered now by the England contingent.
03:20Supporters are in good voice.
03:24Maybe just a few cracks for Muralee.
03:26They've been attacking him and he's felt very comfortable before when they're pushing forward.
03:31Now suddenly just strained down the leg side.
03:33That's unusual for him.
03:36Especially to the left hander.
03:37The ball had hit the stumps.
03:39Oh, great shot.
03:41His cover point just hanging back
03:43to save two, but he can't stop the four as Thorpe threads that through the offside field.
03:49What a way to bring up the 100.
03:50Fabulous shot.
03:52It really is because this spins a little bit and he's hit it flat back.
03:56He's allowed for a little bit of turn and it's absolutely raced away.
03:58Look how he's hit it a bit flat back.
04:00Let the ball go past him and that's why it's going to go square and you can see the spin on the ball.
04:06But that's a wonderful shot.
04:08Just let it go past him.
04:09He got the foot past it and really banged it through that gap.
04:12He had that in mind all the way from the general sketch there of the ground.
04:21Got her England cap as well.
04:29That's a great positive move by England.
04:31Using the feet and hitting over the top.
04:36No turn for Jaisar Aron.
04:37Good feet and good hands from Thorpe.
04:40Beautiful late cut for Thorpe.
04:43England still on the attack.
04:45Good use of the crease, Graham Thorpe.
04:48Just a little flatter.
04:49He knows it's not spinning nearly as much.
04:52But nicely back into position.
04:53And again, this trademark of Graham Thorpe's playing the ball very late.
04:59Almost past him.
05:00Well, it is past him.
05:02Couldn't play better than that.
05:04Try and disrupt the rhythm.
05:07Well, that's a great shot.
05:08That is a lovely stroke.
05:10It was overpitched and wide, but Thorpe waited and waited and waited and picked to stop.
05:16That's a lovely boundary.
05:19Terrific shot.
05:22I think we've got a five ball over here.
05:23I'm not quite sure of this.
05:25Again, getting the foot past the ball.
05:27And it's so important when it's a little bit of rough outside the off stump.
05:31You've got to let the ball go past you and just squeeze it out.
05:33See how the foot goes past the ball.
05:35That's the ball mark of Graham Thorpe, the lightness with which he plays the ball.
05:40Well, it was a five ball over.
05:52England, Nelson, 111 for two.
05:54Oh, and that was pretty close.
06:10Just outside the line.
06:11And the bat was quite close to it as well.
06:14Back comes Thorpe for the second.
06:16Leg by is given.
06:19Well, that's a good shot.
06:21Well, that's a good shot.
06:25Now, that's an example of the sort of initiative that England have been taking today.
06:28And on one knee and getting it away to mid wicket in a very positive manner.
06:58Well, Marcus Strzcothic, I think, tried this shot.
07:01This is the shot he was looking for, but...
07:02England, sir.
07:0437 for two at that stage.
07:11That won't reach the rope.
07:15And Thorpe's taking no risk with a third run.
07:17And a good job, too.
07:22144 for two.
07:28Thorpe's very quick between the wickets, but he took the decision not to take this third run.
07:42Throw winging its way right over the top.
07:45The spin.
07:46It's 50 for Graham Thorpe.
07:56Generous applause from this large crowd here at Kandy.
08:02He was England's master batsman in Pakistan.
08:04And he showed these Sri Lankans, too, that he's a top-class player.
08:1027 test fifties for Graham Thorpe.
08:15He'll be slightly disappointed that he's only turned seven of those into centuries.
08:20Been galloping along.
08:24That's beaten everybody.
08:25It'll be buys.
08:29Poor delivery from Dalmasina.
08:31Four more buys to England.
08:32Still had the best of days.
08:35Sangakara behind the stumps.
08:40He's a poor delivery.
08:41Sliding down the leg side.
08:43Evades everything.
08:45Graham Thorpe wanted a tickle on it.
08:46Didn't need it.
08:50England going well.
08:51Very, very well.
08:52162 for two.
08:56Once again, captains are sometimes reluctant to bowl.
08:59I think that's out.
09:04And it is out.
09:06Graham Thorpe on his way.
09:07Sanath Chaisa here.
09:08You're right.
09:09Maybe he should have bowled a lot more.
09:11The wicket that Sri Lanka needed.
09:13A good piece of ball in over the wicket from the skipper.
09:17He should have bowled well.
09:18Of course he should.
09:19He's only into his third over.
09:21Graham Thorpe walked off.
09:23And again, a ball that pitches and jumps.
09:27A little bit of action on the ball.
09:29There's the pitch.
09:30Just takes the inner edge.
09:32High inner edge of the bat.
09:33Onto the pad.
09:34Easy catch.
09:36No doubt about that one.
09:38Graham Thorpe walks off.
09:4159 for him.
09:43England lose the third wicket.
09:45204 for three.
09:50Graham Thorpe was one of the England's most reliable middle order best man.
09:54And his performances on subcontinent wickets were a testament to his solid technique.
09:59Mental toughness and adaptability.
10:01Batting in the subcontinent is a true test for any non-Asian player.
10:05Due to the spinning track, low bounce, and extreme heat.
10:08But Graham Thorpe handled these conditions with remarkable compoyers.
10:12He was not flamboyant, but he was incredibly effective.
10:15Graham Thorpe used quick footwork to get to the pitch of the ball or rocked back to play late,
10:21which helped him counter the threat of the top-quality spinners.
10:24He was patient and respected the condition and picked his moments to attack,
10:28often using soft hands to rotate the strike and relieve pressure.
10:32One of his standout qualities in the subcontinent was his ability to play spin with confidence.
10:38Whether it was Muthaya Murali Dharan in Sri Lanka or Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in India,
10:43Graham Thorpe knew how to grind out an innings when needed.
10:47He did not panic under pressure and often built partnership that gave England a fighting chance.
10:53So in short, Graham Thorpe may not have been the most talk about overseas bassman in Asia,
10:58but he was one of the most dependable.
11:00A true grafter who valued time at the crease over flashy shots.
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