Former ENGLAND cricketer Graham Thorpe has been admitted to hospital after falling seriously ill.

His family has requested privacy as the prognosis for the former batsman's condition is not known.

The PCA issued a statement stating that Graham Thorpe had recently fallen seriously ill. He is currently being treated in hospital.

"His prognosis at this point is uncertain. We ask for privacy for him, his family and us at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Graham's family.

After his departure from England's set-up following the Ashes, Thorpe (52) had accepted the position of Afghanistan head coach.

As an assistant to Trevor Bayliss, Chris Silverwood and Chris Silverwood, he was able to take over the senior team's Sydney Test match against Australia.

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After a distinguished and long-running career as a player, Thorpe joined the England set up in 2010 as a batting coach.

Thorpe, left-handed, made 100 Test appearances and scored 6,744 runs in between 1993 and 2005. His average run was 43.

He was a 16-century veteran, his best Test score being an unbeaten 200 against New Zealand.

He resigned from England duty following being left out for Kevin Pieterson's 2005 Ashes match - a decision which David Graveney called "the most difficult decision I have ever been a part of in my time as an selector."

Thorpe was an integral part of the ODI Team, scoring 2,380 runs in 82 games and playing in the 1996 World Cups.

He also enjoyed a long first-class career in Surrey, where he played for the county side 341 games and scored 21,937 runs.