New Zealand and England are set to compete for the newly introduced Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, created to honour the legacies of the late Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe. Crafted using wood from bats once used by these legendary cricketers, the trophy symbolises their contributions to the sport.
The trophy, designed by David Ngawati of Mahu Creative, will be unveiled in Christchurch before the three-match series begins. Both cricket boards, NZC and ECB, collaborated with the players’ families to bring this tribute to life. Crowe’s bat, a Gunn and Moore from his century at Lord’s in 1994, and Thorpe’s Kookaburra, used for consecutive centuries against New Zealand in 1997, carry special significance.
Both Crowe and Thorpe had distinguished Test careers, averaging 45.36 and 44.66, respectively. They later became mentors, influencing future players, including some involved in this series. Joe Root expressed his admiration for Thorpe, recalling his influence as a coach and mentor.
NZC CEO Scott Weenink emphasized the importance of honouring past players, and recognizing their legacy as foundational to the sport. ECB chief executive Richard Gould echoed these sentiments, highlighting the fitting tribute to two great cricketers.
The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled by Deb Crowe and Michael Atherton at the Hagley Oval, marking the start of a series expected to reflect the spirited style of both honourees. This tribute ensures their contributions to cricket are remembered for generations to come.