Richards–Botham Trophy

The Richards–Botham Trophy is a trophy awarded to the winner of Test cricket series played between England and the West Indies.[1] It is named after the former international players Viv Richards and Ian Botham, who played as rivals in West Indies–England fixtures, but were also team-mates at Somerset and good friends.[2] The trophy replaced the Wisden Trophy, which was retired following the 2020 series between the two teams.[3] Prior to the series, it was suggested by Andy Bull in the Guardian that a new trophy should be inaugurated in honour of West Indian cricketer Learie Constantine.[4] Writing in the Times a week later, Mike Atherton proposed naming it the Richards-Botham Trophy instead.[5]

Richards–Botham Trophy
Countries England
 West Indies
AdministratorECB and CWI
FormatTest
First edition 2021–22 (West Indies)
Latest edition 2024 (England)
Tournament formatseries
Number of teams2
Current trophy holder England (1st title)
Most successful West Indies
 England
(1 title each)
Most runsEngland Joe Root (580)
Most wicketsEngland Gus Atkinson (22)

In March 2021, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the fixtures of the first edition, to be played the following year.[6][7] Winning West Indies captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, was presented with the inaugural trophy by Ricky Skerritt and Dwain Gill (CWI president) at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium on 27 March 2022.[8] Richards and Botham had revealed the trophy design at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on 7 Match, to coincide with Richards' 70th birthday.[9][10]

List of series

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Year Host First match No. of tests England West Indies Drawn Result Holder Player of the series
2021–22   West Indies 8 March 2022
3
0
1
2
West Indies West Indies   Kraigg Brathwaite
2024   England 10 July 2024
3
3
0
0
England England   Gus Atkinson
Total
6
3
1
2
England: 1
West Indies: 1
Drawn: 0

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "England and West Indies expand the number of matches to be played in the Caribbean in 2022". BBC Sport. London. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  2. ^ "ECB and CWI announce expanded England Men's Tour of the West Indies in 2022". ECB. London. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  3. ^ "England v West Indies: Richards-Botham Trophy to replace Wisden Trophy". BBC Sport. London. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  4. ^ Bull, Andy (30 June 2020). "Learie Constantine and a thread that runs through West Indies cricket history". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  5. ^ Atherton, Mike (7 July 2020). "Wisden Trophy? Surely there's a better name for England v West Indies series". The Times. London. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ^ "CWI and ECB announce expanded England Men's tour of West Indies in 2022". Cricket West Indies. 24 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  7. ^ "England extends tours of West Indies in 2022". ESPNcricinfo. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  8. ^ "We Are Champions! Sorry, No Travel Plans for the Richards-Botham Trophy; It Stays With Us". Cricket West Indies. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  9. ^ Wilson, Joe (7 March 2022). "Sir Viv Richards: West Indies legend reflects on his career and influence on his 70th birthday". BBC Sport. London. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  10. ^ Atherton, Mike (7 March 2022). "West Indies v England: A new era dawns... but relies on the same old faces (bar two)". The Times. London. Retrieved 13 August 2024.