Graham Thorpe

Ahead of his first match as England's official Test captain, Ben Stokes took off the traditional blazer to reveal a touching tribute to former batter and ...

Stokes lost the toss, with New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson unsurprisingly opting to bat first. Spinner Ajaz Patel was also selected, with Neil Wagner and Matt Henry left out. head of his first match as England’s official Test captain, Ben Stokes took off the traditional blazer to reveal a touching tribute to former batter and coach Graham Thorpe, who fell seriously ill last month.

Stokes also paid tribute to his late father with personalised trainers for first Test againt New Zealand at Lord's.

It’s great and a real honour to play a game in memory of the great man that Warney was.” “Everybody’s aware that Graham Thorpe is unfortunately very unwell at the moment in hospital," said Stokes, after losing the toss. Stokes also paid tribute to his late father Ged, who passed away in December 2020 following a short battle with brain cancer.

Ben Stokes walked out for the toss in his first match as England's full-time Test captain, against New Zealand, donning Graham Thorpe's name and jersey ...

"Me wearing this shirt is on behalf of me and the England cricket team to show support to him, his wife, his kids, and all his family and friends through this tough time because we all love Thorpey, and he means a hell of a lot to us." Stokes added that the jersey was a gesture to express the entire team's love and support for the legend. "Everybody is aware that he’s [Thorpe] very unwell in hospital at the moment," said Stokes before the start of the opening day of the Lord's Test. "I have spoken with his wife on Monday and she has been very grateful and thankful for the respect and privacy their family has received."

Thorpe, who played 100 Tests for England between 1993 and 2005, was also a coach with the national team for a decade before quitting in February this year ...

"Our thoughts are with Graham and his family. On Thursday, Stokes paid tributes to Thorpe at the toss for his maiden Test as a captain, wearing an England shirt with Thorpe's name and cap number (564) instead of the traditional blazer, said a report in the newspaper Mirror. England's new captain Ben Stokes stepped into the Lord's ground for the toss ahead of the first Test against New Zealand wearing a shirt with Graham Thorpe's name and cap number in a touching tribute to the England legend who is seriously ill and admitted in hospital.