England are all set to honor batsman Graham Thorpe with a new trophy for the Test series with New Zealand. It will be named after Thorpe and New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe, a tribute to two of their countries’ most famous batsmen.
The trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Test series between England and New Zealand, a contest that dates back to the first Test match between the two countries in 1930. The initiative, expected to be implemented in the upcoming series starting November 28, aims to honor the legacies of Crowe and Thorpe, the report said.
Crowe, often regarded as New Zealand’s best batsman, represented his country in 77 Tests from 1982 to 1995, averaging 45.36, including 17 centuries and 18 fifties. He was also celebrated as a thoughtful writer and commentator after his playing days, becoming one of cricket’s great thinkers. He died in 2016 at the age of 53 after a three-year battle with lymphoma.
Crowe had a special relationship with the games against England, scoring five centuries against them at an average of 40.6.
Over a 100-Test career, Thorpe averaged 44.7, demonstrating his versatility and scoring ability. Thorpe scored a remarkable average of 53.2 against New Zealand. Of his 16 Test centuries, four came against the Black Caps, including his highest Test score of 200 not out in Christchurch in 2002. Thorpe died in August 2024.