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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Graham Thorpe to be honoured during fifth Test with ‘Day for Thorpey'
Graham Thorpe will be honoured during England's fifth Test against India at The Oval on what would have been his 56th birthday. Thorpe took his own life on August 4 last year – three days after his 55th birthday – following a prolonged struggle with depression and anxiety. The stylish left-handed batter – who scored 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 and became one of only 17 men to reach 100 Test caps for England – was survived by wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma, who are now raising money for mental health charity Mind. The family also wish to 'celebrate his memory' on 'A Day for Thorpey' on the second day of the England-India Test at The Kia Oval, home of Thorpe's former county Surrey where he played for 17 years between 1998 and 2005. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Amanda said: 'That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. 'We're heartbroken. People would say 'don't feel guilty, you did everything you could' and, of course, we did. But I do feel guilty. 'We looked at some videos of Graham happy on holiday, for the first time the other day I couldn't do it. But then I don't want to remember all his suffering and how he was. 'I want to remember and celebrate Graham, so grateful to have had 20-plus odd years with him. We just move forward, but I definitely want to help. 'I still don't really understand it. How did it happen to Graham? But it can happen to anyone.' Thorpe held coaching roles with Surrey and England after his playing career. He was part of the England staff during the taxing 2021-22 Ashes in Australia, played under Covid restrictions – which Amanda said he found 'tough' – and was let go after the tourists lost the series 4-0. Thorpe was named head coach of Afghanistan in March 2022, then made a first attempt on his life in May of the same year and subsequently spent a prolonged period in intensive care. 'Over the years it worsened, until he couldn't get out of bed,' Kitty said. 'It was impossible not to notice his spark and whole personality changed over time to almost unrecognisable. It was awful to see. What started as a mental illness turned into a physical illness. 'Over two years he aged about 15 years. He looked really weak. He found the most easy, menial tasks so challenging, like making a meal or walking the dog. He started struggling to even do that. He lost his strength. 'We tried many different treatments, but nothing worked for him. Thorpe wore a trademark headband while batting, and headbands designed by the family and costing £5 will be sold to raise money for Mind. Amanda visited a 'Bat and Chat' session in Burton-upon-Trent, an initiative from Mind designed to support mental health through cricket. The sessions are to be renamed 'Thorpey's Bat and Chat' and funds raised from the day at The Oval will be used to roll them out across the country. Surrey chair Oli Slipper said: 'Amanda and the family have spoken very bravely about the difficult times that Graham experienced with his mental health and we hope that the Day for Thorpey will raise awareness and funds to help people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Graham Thorpe to be honoured during fifth Test with ‘Day for Thorpey'
Graham Thorpe will be honoured during England's fifth Test against India at The Oval on what would have been his 56th birthday. Thorpe took his own life on August 4 last year – three days after his 55th birthday – following a prolonged struggle with depression and anxiety. The stylish left-handed batter – who scored 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 and became one of only 17 men to reach 100 Test caps for England – was survived by wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma, who are now raising money for mental health charity Mind. The family also wish to 'celebrate his memory' on 'A Day for Thorpey' on the second day of the England-India Test at The Kia Oval, home of Thorpe's former county Surrey where he played for 17 years between 1998 and 2005. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Amanda said: 'That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. 'We're heartbroken. People would say 'don't feel guilty, you did everything you could' and, of course, we did. But I do feel guilty. 'We looked at some videos of Graham happy on holiday, for the first time the other day I couldn't do it. But then I don't want to remember all his suffering and how he was. 'I want to remember and celebrate Graham, so grateful to have had 20-plus odd years with him. We just move forward, but I definitely want to help. 'I still don't really understand it. How did it happen to Graham? But it can happen to anyone.' Thorpe held coaching roles with Surrey and England after his playing career. He was part of the England staff during the taxing 2021-22 Ashes in Australia, played under Covid restrictions – which Amanda said he found 'tough' – and was let go after the tourists lost the series 4-0. Thorpe was named head coach of Afghanistan in March 2022, then made a first attempt on his life in May of the same year and subsequently spent a prolonged period in intensive care. 'Over the years it worsened, until he couldn't get out of bed,' Kitty said. 'It was impossible not to notice his spark and whole personality changed over time to almost unrecognisable. It was awful to see. What started as a mental illness turned into a physical illness. 'Over two years he aged about 15 years. He looked really weak. He found the most easy, menial tasks so challenging, like making a meal or walking the dog. He started struggling to even do that. He lost his strength. 'We tried many different treatments, but nothing worked for him. Thorpe wore a trademark headband while batting, and headbands designed by the family and costing £5 will be sold to raise money for Mind. Amanda visited a 'Bat and Chat' session in Burton-upon-Trent, an initiative from Mind designed to support mental health through cricket. The sessions are to be renamed 'Thorpey's Bat and Chat' and funds raised from the day at The Oval will be used to roll them out across the country. Surrey chair Oli Slipper said: 'Amanda and the family have spoken very bravely about the difficult times that Graham experienced with his mental health and we hope that the Day for Thorpey will raise awareness and funds to help people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.'
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'A Day for Thorpey' to celebrate England batter
The family of Graham Thorpe want to "celebrate his memory" on 'A Day for Thorpey' during England's fifth Test against India at The England batter Thorpe took his own life last year after a prolonged struggle with depression and anxiety. He was former Surrey player will be remembered on the second day of the fifth Test at the ground where he had a 17-year county career. That day, 1 August, would have been his 56th a nod to the trademark headband Thorpe wore while batting, headbands designed by his wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma will be sold to raise money for mental health charity to BBC Breakfast, Amanda said: "That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. He'll go on."Kitty added: "Death and grief in general isn't talked about enough, considering it happens to everyone. It surrounds us. When you add the layer of death by suicide, that makes it even more taboo."I understand it's difficult to talk about - people don't want to say the wrong thing. That doesn't help tackle the stigma around it. We need to change the way we're addressing the topic. That's why we're working with Mind to do something to help that."Thorpe famously became the first England batter for 20 years to score a hundred on their Test debut when he reached three figures against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993.A stylish left-hander, Thorpe would go on to become one of only 17 men to reach 100 Test caps for England, scoring 6,744 runs at an average of his playing career, he held coaching roles with Surrey and England. He was part of the England staff during the taxing 2021-22 Ashes in Australia, played under Covid restrictions. He was let go after England lost that series was named head coach of Afghanistan in March of 2022, then made a first attempt on his life in May of the same year, subsequently spending a prolonged period in intensive care. "Working in the Covid bubbles, he found that tough," said Amanda. "He wasn't great at following rules at the best of times. He would turn up for a team dinner in the wrong clothes, that is if he turned up at all."The last tour he did when he was coaching, the Ashes, that was a really hard tour because there were still full Covid restrictions."It was all very stressful and he wasn't great on that trip. Then he came back, and, as happens, his job ended, then he got offered another job. It was hard for him, probably harder than we knew. He got a lot worse then, very quickly, actually."Thorpe died on 4 August last year."It was impossible not to notice his spark and whole personality changed, over time to almost unrecognisable," said Kitty. "It was awful to see. What started as a mental illness turned into a physical illness."Over two years he aged about 15 years. He looked really weak. He found the most easy, menial tasks so challenging, like making a meal or walking the dog. He started struggling to even do that. He lost his strength."We tried many different treatments, but nothing worked for him."In the run-up to 'A Day for Thorpey', Amanda has visited 'Bat and Chat' in Burton-upon-Trent - an initiative from Mind designed to support mental health through sessions are to be renamed 'Thorpey's Bat and Chat' and funds raised from the day at The Oval will be used to roll them out across the country."My dad was quite a private person, so for us to share his and our experience is important to help other people who have gone through similar things," said Emma."To start a conversation, to reduce the shame and stigma there are around these conversations."Kitty added: "Our key message is to speak up and reach out for help early on. There is help out there. It needs to be spoken about more."There are great charities like Mind and many more. Hopefully over time this will grow, there will be more help and services. That's what we're raising money for."If you're affected by any of the issues in this article you can find details of organisations who can help via the BBC Action Line.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sistas First Look: Fatima Rushes Karen to the Hospital in Season 9 Premiere — Is She Finally Giving Birth? (Exclusive)
Fans of Tyler Perry's Sistas have waited six long seasons for perpetually pregnant Karen to finally give birth. Now that her due date may be approaching at last, we're just hoping she and the babies are OK! TVLine's exclusive first look at Wednesday's Season 9 premiere (BET, 9/8c) picks up where the March finale left off, with Fatima rushing Karen to the hospital — and in the middle of a citywide blackout, no less. More from TVLine Bet Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix Tyler Perry Accused of Sexual Assault and Harassment by The Oval Actor Derek Dixon in New Lawsuit BET Awards 2025: Complete List of Winners 'The Sistas must put their current individual problems and traumas aside when they learn something is wrong with Karen's pregnancy,' reads the premiere's official logline. And there's plenty of drama for these ladies to have to put aside, from Rich cheating on Sabrina with Penelope to Hudson possibly shooting either Andi, Gary or Zac. 'Season 9 of Sistas pushes the ladies further to the edge than ever before in their friendships and personal lives,' reads BET's official logline. 'Hardships and huge changes will rattle them, but will it destroy the sisters' circle? These ladies were built to handle the tough things in life, and they'll really need to lean on one another to make it through this season.' Sistas stars KJ Smith as Andi, Mignon as Danni, Ebony Obsidian as Karen, Novi Brown as Sabrina, Crystal Renee Hayslett as Fatima, Angela Beyince as Pam, Devale Ellis as Zac, Chido Nwokocha as Gary, Brian Jordan Jr. as Maurice, and Kevin A. Walton as Aaron. Are you excited for the return of Sistas? Do you think Karen is finally going to have her baby this season, or is that more of a series finale moment? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Ravi Shastri's Blunt Remarks On Karun Nair's Dismissal Over Lord's Test Defeat
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has picked Rishabh Pant's dismissal in the first innings and Karun Nair's wicket in the second essay as the key moments that tilted the third Test at Lord's in England's favour. England registered a narrow 22-run win to go 2-1 up in the five-match series, bowling India out for 170 in the chase of 193. "The turning point for me in this Test match was, first of all, Rishabh Pant's dismissal (in the first innings)," Shastri said on 'The ICC Review'. Shastri lauded England captain Ben Stokes' "presence of mind" to effect Pant's run out on 74 at the stroke of lunch on Day 3, which gave his side a foothold. "Ben Stokes…simply outstanding presence of mind to hit at the right end and pull it off on the stroke of lunch. Because India would have got a lead and they were in the driver's seat," he added. Karun and KL Rahul had taken India to 41 for one in the second innings on the fourth day, but the former offered no shot to a delivery from pacer Brydon Carse to be adjudged leg before. It gave England an opening and India slumped to 82 for seven from 42 for two to hand the advantage to the hosts. Shastri said Karun suffered from "huge lapse of concentration." "Having said that, again at 40/1 (in the second innings), I thought that was a huge lapse in concentration from Karun Nair to leave a straight ball, a nothing ball, to leave it and open the door for England. I thought that the timing of that dismissal turned things around." The former India skipper also opined that the Indian top-order should have shown a little more prudence in the second innings. "Because you saw when Siraj batted, when Bumrah batted, when Jadeja was batting, once the ball was 40 overs old, they hardly put a foot wrong. "They were solid in defence and to bring that target down at lunch, 82 to get, you thought in the next 10 minutes it would be done and dusted. But to bring that 82 or 83 to 22 was a massive achievement. "So, it just goes to show that (if) the top order had just been a little tougher and mentally stronger on Day 4, towards the end, this game would have been India's," he added. Shastri said India has the wherewithal to bounce back into the series, but rued the fact that the visitors would have been up 3-0 had the rub of green gone their way. "It (the Lord's Test) reminded me so much of the Test match in 2021 (at the Lord's when Shastri was the head coach). Only on that occasion, it was India who batted first. Scores were very similar, 300, 300 and then a collapse in the second innings. At that time, India won." This time it was England. "But a fascinating series and two more to go. Anything can happen. India can bounce back straight away and if that happens, The Oval (final Test) will be a thriller," he noted. "Fifteen days in the series, it's been riveting stuff. And at times, I think India could have been 3-0 up. A little bit of luck, India could have been 3-0 up." The fourth Test between the two sides will begin at Manchester on July 23. However, Shastri was generous in his praise of England and their captain Stokes. "You have to compliment England. When the going got tough, those moments they seized. And when they saw an opening in the door, they just banged their door down. "There was hardly anything on that surface, and if you had lost two wickets less the previous day I think India would have chased that down," he said. Chasing 193, India closed the Day 4 of the third Test at a wobbly 58 for four. Moving onto the giant-willed Stokes, Shastri said: 'Stokes bowling those spells, I knew something was coming at Edgbaston (second Test) because he had something back there. "He wanted fuel in the tank for Lord's and he showed it on the last day. Eight overs, nine-over spells. At one stage, 10 overs towards the end to clinch it for England,' he said. Stokes bowled 24 overs, more than any other England bowler in the Test, and picked up three wickets including the vital one of Rahul.
