Thorpe is England's 10th highest Test run-scorer

Thorpe, 36, retired last year after playing 100 Tests and scoring 6,774 runs at an average of 44.66.

He scored a century on debut against Australia in 1993 and was England's most dependable batsman thereafter.

He was omitted from the side that reclaimed the Ashes from Australia last summer and called time on his career at the end of the 2005 county season.

Interview: Former England star Graham Thorpe

"I was really taken aback by it," said Thorpe. "But I am extremely proud I have been recognised in this way."

"This is not the reason you play cricket - but getting this sort of recognition is something I am very proud of."

It was a great shame for Thorpe that he was not part of the England side that reclaimed the Ashes after 18 years.

THORPE'S RECORD 100 Tests 6,744 runs, average 44.66, 16x100, 39x50, highest score 200 not out, 105 catches 82 ODIs 2,380 runs, average 37.18, 21x50, highest score 89, 42 catches 341 first-class games 21,937 runs, average 45.04, 49x100, 122x50, highest score 223 not out, 290 catches

For 12 years, the nuggety left-hander had been part of an under-achieving England team that were steam-rollered time and again by Australia.

Thorpe was pitched in against the Aussies in the third Test at Trent Bridge in 1993 with England 2-0 down in the Ashes.

He made 114 not out in England's second innings but England went on to lose the series 4-1 and his career would be defined by valour in the face of adversity.

Thorpe, the 10th highest English run-scorer in Tests, was the key man in England's successful trips to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2000-01.

He scored 64 not out in fading light in Karachi to seal the series against Pakistan and an unbeaten 113 in England's first innings in Colombo as the visitors took that series 2-1.

But Thorpe's attacking verve was never completely blunted, as illustrated by his 200 not out from 230 balls against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2002.

Thorpe was arguably even more effective as a one-day batsman, scoring 2,380 runs in 82 matches for England at an average 37.18.

The latter part of Thorpe's career was beset with personal problems, but it is the mark of the man that he came back even stronger after self-imposed exile from the England team.

Having missed the ill-fated 2002-2003 Ashes campaign, Thorpe returned with a ton against South Africa at The Oval in 2003.

He would go on to average more than 56 over the 1,635 more Test runs he would make and will be remembered as England's finest batsman of his generation.