New Zealand and England will contest the newly introduced Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, a tribute to the legacies of two iconic cricketers, Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe. The trophy, crafted from wood sourced from bats used by each player, symbolizes their profound impact on the game.
The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled on Thursday morning in Christchurch ahead of the three-match Test series. Designed by David Ngawati of Mahu Creative—also the creator of the Tangiwai Shield—the trophy is a collaborative effort between New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and the families of Crowe and Thorpe.
The bats used hold deep sentimental value: Crowe’s Gunn and Moore bat, which he used to score a century at Lord’s in 1994, and Thorpe’s Kookaburra, with which he recorded back-to-back centuries against New Zealand in 1997, form the foundation of this historic trophy.
Martin Crowe is widely regarded as New Zealand’s greatest batter, with an illustrious Test career featuring 17 centuries and an average of 45.36. Graham Thorpe, who tragically passed away in August, boasted a Test average of 44.66 with 16 centuries, including a memorable unbeaten double-century in Christchurch in 2002.
Both players left an indelible mark on the sport, mentoring future generations, including players who will feature in this series. While England is out of contention for the World Test Championship Final, the Kiwis still have an outside chance if they manage to get the better of the visitors.
The trophy will be officially unveiled at the Hagley Oval before the national anthems on Thursday. Deb Crowe, Martin’s sister, and former England captain Michael Atherton will take part in the ceremony, adding to the significance of the moment.
Crowe-Thorpe Trophy promises to be a fitting tribute to two cricketing icons, celebrating their legacies and inspiring future generations to play the game with the same passion and excellence.
