A Test series contested in a similar manner to the Ashes - Wisden Trophy (1963-2020)

Wisden Trophy (1963-2020)

Inaugural series

With the agreement of the Marylebone Cricket Club and the West Indies Cricket Board, John Wisden & Co. Ltd awarded the first Wisden Trophy in 1963, to be contested in a similar manner to the Ashes. It was granted to the champions of England's Test cricket series against the West Indies. It was named after the legendary cricketing publisher Wisden. The Wisden Trophy was awarded to the winning team as a symbol of their success, but it was later restored to Lord's MCC Museum

Iconic Trophy and its detailing:

The trophy stands roughly 30 centimeters tall and has a similar base width. A portrait of John Wisden is featured in the centre. A smaller depiction of a batsman taking guard is to Wisden's left, while a bowler in his delivery stride is to Wisden's right. A plaque sits directly beneath Wisden, with the English and West Indian teams' badges on either side.

The inscription reads:

“This Trophy, to be competed for between England and West Indies in 1963 and succeeding Test series, was presented by Wisden's to commemorate the publication in 1963 of the 100th edition of Wisden's Cricketers' Almanack”

History and its Culture:

It was originally given out in 1963 to honor the publication of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanac’s hundredth edition. The series was performed in accordance with the tour schedule, with variable lengths of time between tours. If a series is tied, the country that holds the Wisden Trophy retains it.

The Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy has been awarded to the leading wicket taker in the Wisden Trophy series since 2000. The Richards–Botham Trophy, named after Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Ian Botham, was announced as the trophy's replacement in 2020.

English Dominance

England retained the trophy in perpetuity by winning the 2020 series, the final series in which the trophy was on the table. After beating the West Indies 3–1 in 2000 to reclaim the trophy for the first time since 1969, England kept it for nine years and successfully defended it three times. In the 2009 series in the West Indies, the West Indies won 1–0 to retain the title. It was initially intended to be a four-match Test series. When the second Test was forced to be abandoned after only a few overs due to unfit conditions, an extra match was scheduled. In May 2009, England reclaimed the title after winning a two-Test series 2–0.

England reclaimed the crown with a 2–0 series triumph in 2012,. Despite the fact that the third and final test at Edgbaston was virtually a washout due to rain, Tino Best hit a world record 95 as a number 11 in a world-record 10th-wicket stand of 143 with Dinesh Ramdin, which was also a West Indies record. Best's record lasted less than a year, as it was surpassed in the 2013 Ashes series by Ashton Agar, who also played against England.

England played poorly in the West Indies, failing to knock the West Indies out in the first test, with Jason Holder standing firm against the England bowlers, England fared significantly better in the second test match, thanks to Joe Root's 182 not out, which ensured the Wisden Trophy was preserved, as they won their first test match away from home since December 2012. The third test, on the other hand, witnessed an England batting collapse that left the West Indies needing just 194 runs to tie the series, which they promptly completed, meaning England had not won a Test series away from home since 2012.

The first test, in 2017, was a Day-Night match, the first test match in England to have a pink ball. England triumphed by an innings and 209 runs, thanks to Alastair Cook's 243. The West Indies lost 19 wickets in a single day, and England won by an innings and 209 runs. The West Indies, on the other hand, mounted a major comeback in the second test match, with Shai Hope scoring centuries in both innings at Headingley for the first time in all first-class cricket on the ground, allowing them to chase down 322 runs on the final day, their first test victory in England since 2000. In a low-scoring thriller at Lord's, England attempted their own comeback, with James Anderson (cricketer) claiming his 500th test wicket in the second innings when he dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite on his way to best test numbers of 7-42, helping England to win the game after scoring 107.

After whitewashing Sri Lanka 3–0 away from home, England's dreams of repeating their Sri Lanka trip faded early when they were knocked for just 77 in the first innings in Barbados, handing the West Indies a 212-run first-innings advantage. Captain Jason Holder, opting not to bat further, then guided England to victory with 202 not out, giving England a massive 628 to win. England got off to a good start with Rory Burns' 84 but Roston Chase ripped through the English middle order as the West Indies triumphed by 381 runs, their greatest home victory ever. England's difficulties continued in Antigua, where they were dismissed for the first time under 200 in a match since January 2014, leaving the West Indies with just 14 points to reclaim the Wisden Trophy, which they dutifully achieved despite a consolation victory for England in the final test.

Final Wisden Trophy series in 2020

It was stated that this would be the final series for the Wisden Trophy, and it was played during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Following the three-match Test series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) declared that the 57-year-old tradition will come to an end. The Wisden Trophy will be retired after this series and displayed at Lord's Museum. The Richards-Botham Trophy will take its place.

As a result of the outbreak, cricket had come to a halt all around the world, forcing lockdowns across many countries. The restart of international cricket was celebrated by this series, which was played under modified rules because of the pandemic. Old Trafford in Manchester and the Rose Bowl in Southampton were declared as Bio-Secure venues as a result of the unique restrictions. Players were not permitted to travel outside of the venues, which included on-site accommodations. Also prohibited was the use of saliva to polish the ball. The players were put to the test several times throughout the series, and they were told not to exchange high-fives or hugs during the match.

Due to UK government guidelines, the West Indies squad was required to spend two weeks in isolation before commencing their practice. The tour was cancelled by Darren Bravo, Keemo Paul, and Shimron Hetmyer.

After falling behind in the first test and then comfortably winning the other two, England won the series 2–1 to reclaim the title. After being left out of the first test, seam bowler Stuart Broad came back to take 6 wickets in the second test and 10 wickets plus 62 runs in the final test.

Richard-Botham Trophy:

This series will be renamed after Vivian Richards and Ian Botham, two of the respective country's veterans, as the Richard-Botham Trophy. Both cricketing legends expressed their joy at having the prestigious series named after them. The Antiguan cricketer has a 62.36 average against England, with a total of 2869 runs from the home and away series.  During his international career, the English all-rounder, on the other hand, grabbed 61 wickets against the Windies. In March 2021Cricket West Indies confirmed the inaugural edition of Richard-Botham trophy will be played in March 2022.