West Indies vs England Test Series To Be Recognised As Richards-Botham Trophy In Honour Of Two All-Time Greats

The Test series played between the West Indies National Cricket Team and the England National Cricket Team will be recognised as the Richards-Botham trophy in honour of two all-time greats.

Legendary West Indies player Sir Vivian Richards, who is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and legendary Lord Ian Botham unveiled the new Richards-Botham trophy on Sunday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua ahead of the first Test match of the three-match Test series, which will begin from Tuesday, March 8.

The trophy will be given to the winner of the Test series played between West Indies and England.

According to Cricket West Indies, the new trophy symbolizes “Courage. Friendship. Respect” – values that represent the Test cricketing rivalry between West Indies and England.

“The Trophy has an ultra-modern design and consists of an upside-down cup, based on a Georgian rummer, with the joining sphere a cricket ball. One end is a rummer for drinking rum and the other a wine/ale goblet. The rummer has palm fronds and the ale cup has willow leaves.

“The ceremonial idea is that the winning team holding the trophy would have the rummer that represents their team face upward while they held it and it would be ceremoniously turned over when the other team wins,” as quoted by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

It’s a truly special feeling to have the fantastic trophy named in honour of my great friend Ian and myself – Sir Vivian Richards

Sir Richards has said that he is honoured that a fantastic trophy has been named after him and his friend.

“It’s a truly special feeling to have the fantastic trophy named in honor of my great friend Ian and myself. We played a lot together and built a great friendship on and off the cricket field. As I said earlier, I am truly delighted to know that the game that I have shown my love for all my life is naming such a prestigious award in recognition of what I managed to achieve. It’s a beautiful trophy and I want to again thank everyone who came up with this idea and contributed to its creation,” he said as quoted by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Meanwhile, Lord Botham has said that the idea to introduce the trophy was a great one.

“It’s a great idea and a truly lovely trophy. It really stands out and I’m honored to have my name on the trophy alongside my friend Sir Viv. The captain who picks up the trophy at the end of the upcoming series will be a happy man,” he said.

England captain Joe Root and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite also spoke about the Richards-Botham trophy. Kraigg Brathwaite said that it’s extra special to play for the new trophy. He said:

“We’re really excited and ready for the upcoming Apex Test Series against England. This is going to be an amazing three weeks of cricket. It’s extra special too that we’re playing for the new Richards-Botham trophy, a fitting tribute to these two great men. We want to be the first team to get our hands on it and celebrate with our fans.”

Meanwhile, English captain Joe Root said that the trophy being named after Sir Richards and Lord Botham is a fitting tribute. He asserted:

“Test series between England and West Indies are iconic, and to have a trophy named after arguably the two most outstanding England and West Indies cricketers of all-time in Lord Ian Botham and Sir Vivian Richards is a fitting tribute for this great rivalry. We are enthused about the next month of competition, and we hope to make the England fans proud by lifting the Richards-Botham trophy.”

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