Cricket West Indies wins Spirit of Cricket award

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has been awarded the 2020 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award.

CWI was given the award by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in England and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Marylebone is based at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The Lord’s Cricket website said, “Cricket West Indies were selected for their courage in sending both their men’s and women’s teams to tour England in 2020, a year when the Covid-19 pandemic has caused such major disruption not only to the international cricketing calendar, but to everyday life.”

MCC and BCC recognised the other teams that travelled to England during the covid19 pandemic.

“The award singles out Cricket West Indies for their efforts, but both MCC and the BBC would like to place on record their admiration for the Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket Ireland and Cricket Australia for overcoming logistical challenges to send their men’s teams to play England.

“In addition, none of these tours would have been possible without the determination of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and everyone involved in the herculean effort to host international cricket in this extraordinary year.”

Jason Holder’s West Indies men’s team faced England in a three-match Test series which began in early July. The team arrived in the United Kingdom in early June, with lockdown restrictions still in place across the United Kingdom and infection rates remaining prevalent.

The West Indies women’s team, led by Stafanie Taylor, stepped in at late notice to play England in a five-match T20 international series in September, following the cancellation of previously scheduled matches.

CEO of CWI Johnny Grave said, “We are delighted that our men’s and women’s teams have won the prestigious Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award. On behalf of everyone at CWI, I’d like to thank MCC and the BBC for recognizing the efforts that our teams made, in close collaboration with ECB, to ensure that international cricket returned safely to the global stage.”