From Glory to Garage: The Bizarre Journey of the Frank Worrell Trophy

Explore the fascinating history of the Frank Worrell Trophy—cricket’s most accident-prone symbol of sportsmanship. From its creation in 1960–61 to Australia's long reign since 1995, uncover the legacy, mishaps, and legends tied to this iconic prize.

Frank Worrell Trophy History (Image Source: Google)

Australia, under Pat Cummins, retained the Frank Worrell Trophy on their recent tour of the West Indies. Remarkably, this prestigious trophy has remained with Australia since 1995, when Mark Taylor's side ended West Indies' two-decade-long dominance. The Frank Worrell Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Test series between these two cricketing nations.

The trophy is named after Sir Frank Worrell, the first black captain of the West Indies. This trophy, although commissioned by the Australian Cricket Board of Control (presently Cricket Australia) was named after the touring West Indies captain in 1960-61 symbolising the respect he had earned in the cricketing circle.

The Australian Cricket Board of Control and particularly Don Bradman was so much inclined to honour him, they decided to play the ongoing (1960-61 series) for the Trophy in his name. Incidentally Frank Worrell himself presented the Trophy to his rival skipper, Richie Benaud, at Melbourne, in front of thousands of spectators. The first ever Frank Worrell Trophy contest is still considered to be one of the greatest Test series ever played.

The design of the trophy was entrusted to Ernie McCormick, a former Australian Test fast bowler and professional jeweller. The events at the Brisbane Tied Test inspired Ernie McCormick to design the trophy, incorporating one of the balls used in the play in the Test. Though not the Board's first choice, he was the only one who truly understood the emotional significance and completed the trophy in record time.

Australian fast bowler Ernie McCormick played 12 Tests before the Second World War, as a genuine pace bowler. He holds the record of claiming a wicket with his first ball in Ashes Tests; dismissing Wally Hammond for his first Ashes duck and in his first match in England (in 1938) was no-balled 35 times for overstepping.

Over the years, the Frank Worrell Trophy has become known as "the sport's most accident-prone trophy". It's been lost, repaired, replaced, and damaged multiple times.

During the West Indies tour of Australia in 2022, a photograph captured Australian skipper Pat Cummins and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite posing with the Frank Worrell Trophy before the first Test of the 2022–23 series. In fact, Pat Cummins was holding the ball in place atop the trophy to prevent it from falling.

A recent example was during the 2022–23 series in Australia. The trophy, encased and padlocked for transport to Perth, was damaged when the key was lost and WACA staff had to use bolt cutters. The ball atop the trophy was dislodged.

With little time for professional repair, Cricket Australia staff themselves reattached the ball. However, during the presentation, the ball detached once again, leading to an awkward moment for winning captain Steve Smith.

The most bizarre episode dates back to 1985 when Wes Hall, then West Indies manager, brought the trophy back from Australia and forgot it in his mother’s garage. The trophy was declared missing, and a replica was created for the 1988–89 series. This version featured a new Kookaburra ball on top.

The original trophy was eventually recovered just in time for the 1995 series, which Mark Taylor’s team won. Since then, Australia has retained the original or its replica, with the latter often used in modern presentations due to the original's fragile condition.