The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, a collaboration between NZC, the ECB, and the families of each player, will be presented on the morning of the first Test against England in Christchurch, the two cricket boards said in a statement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled by Deb Crowe (Martin\u2019s sister) and former England Test captain Michael Atherton on the ground ahead on the national anthems on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The trophy is made up of 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. Graham's handwriting has been lifted off the face of his bat and inserted onto the trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The bat gifted by the Thorpe family is the one with which Graham 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 Martin scored his century at Lord\u2019s in 1994.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Crowe made 17 Test centuries at an average of 45.36 across a 14-year international career last century, while Thorpe almost mirrored those stats with 16 Test hundreds with an average of 44.66 from 13 years at the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Scott Weenink said it was fitting the stories and memories of both players would be kept alive through the newly named trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cToday\u2019s generation of players are standing on the shoulders of those who went before them, players like Graham and Martin. It\u2019s good that we recognise this and respect their legacy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBoth those players were seriously good batsmen who understood the game intimately - they commanded respect wherever they went,\" said Weenink.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said, \"Martin and Graham are two legends of the game, and it is fitting that Test series between our two men\u2019s sides will now be contested in their name. It\u2019s heart-breaking to have lost both men so early, but by honouring them in this way I hope we can help ensure the memories and legacies of two of our nations\u2019 finest cricketers live on long into the future.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said, \"Martin and Graham are two legends of the game, and it is fitting that Test series between our two men\u2019s sides will now be contested in their name. It\u2019s heart-breaking to have lost both men so early, but by honouring them in this way I hope we can help ensure the memories and legacies of two of our nations\u2019 finest cricketers live on long into the future.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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