Black Caps, England to play for Crowe-Thorpe Trophy

The Black Caps and England test teams will honour the late Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe with a trophy named in the pair’s honour.

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled on the morning of the first test against England in Christchurch tomorrow.

Both were hugely successful test batters in their time.

Crowe averaged 45.36 and posted 17 centuries with a highest score of 299, and Thorpe averaged 44.66 with 16 centuries and a highest score of 200 not out — against New Zealand in 2002.

Made from wood sourced from a bat from each player, the trophy is designed by David Ngawati, of Mahu Creative, and will be played for in future New Zealand-England test series.

Ngawati was the craftsman who designed the Tangiwai Shield, for New Zealand v South Africa tests, last summer.

The bat given by the Thorpe family (a Kookaburra) is the one with which Thorpe scored his first two centuries against New Zealand, in consecutive tests in 1997, while the one donated by the Crowe family was the GM with which Crowe scored his century at Lord’s in 1994.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said it was fitting the stories and memories of both players would be kept alive through the new trophy.

"Today’s generation of players are standing on the shoulders of those who went before them, players like Graham and Martin," Weenink said.

"It’s good that we recognise this and respect their legacy.

Thorpe, who debuted in 1993 and played 100 tests, was a constant needle in the side of the New Zealand teams, against whom he scored four centuries and averaged 53.

He died earlier this year, aged 55.

Crowe scored five centuries against England, including 142 at Lord’s in his last visit.

He died in 2016, aged 53.

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled by Crowe’s sister, Deb, and former England captain Michael Atherton on the ground before the national anthems at Hagley Oval tomorrow. — APL