ENG vs WI: ‘Wisden Trophy’ shelved, Series named after two legends

The ongoing edition of the ‘Wisden Trophy’ will be last such. Both England and West Indies cricket boards have decided to name their future Test encounters after two of their legends. The West Indies and England will play for the ‘Richards-Botham Trophy’ when they next meet in men’s Test matches. The series will be played to celebrate the contributions made by Viv Richards (West Indies) and Ian Botham (England).

England Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement to announce the change.

“The title honours Sir Vivian Richards, one of cricket’s greatest batsmen who scored more than 8,500 runs in a 121-Test career, and Sir Ian Botham, the legendary all-rounder who scored more than 5,000 runs and took 383 wickets in 102 Tests. Fierce competitors on the pitch, the pair developed a great friendship off it which still endures, and the new trophy is a fitting way to celebrate the warm relationship between the nations and to honour the gladiatorial spirit of contests past and present,” it said.

The Wisden Trophy, which was first contested in 1963 to commemorate the hundredth edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, will now be retired and will be displayed at the MCC Museum at Lord’s where it has traditionally been kept.

Richards featured in 36 Test matches against England and amassed 2869 runs while averaging 62.36 runs per innings. 8 of his 24 Test tons were against the English side. In 1976 tour to England, he went on to smash 829 runs in four Tests.

Facing the toughest bowling attack of his era, Botham did not augur well with the bat against the men from the Caribbean. He averaged 21.40 in 20 Tests while scoring only four fifties. He was better with the ball. The all-rounder grabbed 61 wickets which included three five-wicket hauls.

Sir Vivian Richards said, “This is a huge honour for my good friend Ian and myself. I am delighted to know that the game that I have shown my love for since a little boy is naming such a prestigious award in recognition of what I managed to achieve as a cricketer.

Sir Ian Botham said, “Playing the West Indies was always one of the toughest tests in cricket, and it’s an honour for this trophy to bear our names. I hope future series will be just as exciting as the one we’ve all been enjoying this summer.”