by Joe Root hopes England and New Zealand can deliver a ‘humdinger’ series in honor of the late Graham Thorpe and Kiwi great Martin Crowe.
The teams will compete over the next three Tests to become the owner of the new Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, made from wood taken from bats owned by the pair.
Thorpe took his own life earlier this year after a long battle with depression, while Crowe died in 2016 from cancer.
The duo scored 33 Test centuries between them and are now known as part of a collaboration between the England and Wales Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket.
Root, who worked closely with Thorpe during the latter’s coaching career at the ECB and considered him a close friend and mentor, welcomed the news.
“I think it’s amazing, a really nice way to celebrate two greats from each nation,” he said.
“Thorpey’s influence on my career is truly unparalleled. To have been able to work with him for so long – the hours, time, effort and energy he put into my game – I will be forever grateful to him for everything he has done for me.
“It’s good to have something to play for in his name and the same for Crowey. Hopefully both teams represent the way they played and we will have an even better series.
Thorpe made his career-best score of 200 against the Black Caps in Christchurch, where the first Test begins on Wednesday at 10 p.m. GMT, and the new trophy, which features a recreation of his handwriting, will be unveiled by his former captain Michael Atherton and Crowe’s sister Deb at Hagley Oval.
Richard Gould, chief executive of the ECB, said: “Martin and Graham are two legends of the game, and it is fitting that the Test series between our two men’s teams will now be contested in their names.
“It’s heartbreaking to have lost both men so soon, but by paying tribute to them in this way, I hope we can help ensure that the memories and legacy of two of our country’s finest cricketers last long into the future.”
Root enters the series ranked as the world’s number one Test batter but found himself at the center of an early start to the traditional Ashes war of words this week.
Former Australian head coach Darren Lehmann, commentating on television in Australia this week, said Root was a “step below” his contemporaries Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith due to the lack of a century of testing in Australia.
Root, who has more Tests and more Test centuries than his peers in the so-called ‘big four’, was unmoved by the comments.
“My job is to score points, right? His job is to give his opinion and speak on the radio,” he said.
“I will do my job and he can do his job. He has every right to say whatever he wants. I haven’t spoken to him in a while but, like I said, he has a job to do. It’s his right.
