English cricket stalwart Graham Thorpe honored with heartfelt century tribute by Joe Root, a game-altering moment in cricket history.
Joe Root Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Mentor Graham Thorpe
In a poignant moment during the Oval Test, England's Joe Root paid a heartfelt tribute to his late mentor, Graham Thorpe, who passed away by suicide in August 2024. Root, who scored his 39th Test hundred in the match, wore a white headband styled like Thorpe's iconic one as a symbol of respect and admiration.
Thorpe, a respected left-handed batter with over 6,700 runs in 100 Tests, was not just a successful player but also a revered mentor. He played a crucial role in nurturing England's next generation of stars, including Root and Ben Stokes.
Root's tribute was planned before he even walked out to bat, underscoring the personal significance of Thorpe's mentorship to him. The tribute was part of a broader mental health awareness initiative, "A Day for Thorpey," where England players wore specially designed headbands inspired by Thorpe's signature style, with proceeds supporting a mental health charity.
Thorpe had been a strong advocate for Root since he first saw him, predicting his success. Root described Thorpe as a "rock star" in a piece written by Alec Stewart, a teammate of both Root and Thorpe, for the 2025 Almanack.
The tribute was reciprocated by Mohammed Siraj from the Indian camp, who also wore a white headband during the match. At tea on the fourth day, England were 317-4 with Root on 98*, and he brought up his hundred by flicking a ball from Akash Deep into the leg side. After scoring his hundred, Root took off his helmet to acknowledge the cheers.
As the final day of the Oval Test approaches, it marks Thorpe's first death anniversary. Root was a pallbearer at Thorpe's funeral, and the second day of the Test match was named 'A Day for Thorpey'. The website offers cricket updates, including live scores, news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis, and live match odds, providing fans with comprehensive coverage of the emotional Test match.
[1] The Guardian, "Joe Root pays emotional tribute to Graham Thorpe with headband during Oval Test", 2025. [2] BBC Sport, "Joe Root pays tribute to Graham Thorpe with headband at The Oval", 2025. [3] The Telegraph, "Joe Root pays emotional tribute to Graham Thorpe with headband at The Oval", 2025. [4] Sky Sports, "Joe Root pays tribute to Graham Thorpe with headband at The Oval", 2025.
Despite the focus on cricket news, the Sports world showcased unity as footballer Mohammed Siraj from the Indian camp also wore a white headband in solidarity with Joe Root, who paid an emotional tribute to his late mentor, Graham Thorpe, in the ongoing Oval Test. This tribute was part of a broader Sports initiative, "A Day for Thorpey," aiming to raise awareness for mental health and support a mental health charity.
