New Zealand's rugby and cricket stars to battle it out for Lomu-Crowe trophy

Sport360 staff 15:32 16/01/2019
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  • McCullum (l) will lead Team Cricket in the T20 clash next week.

    New Zealand’s cricket and rugby stars will now be playing for the Lomu-Crowe trophy in their inaugural ‘Black Clash’ T20 match to commemorate the two sporting icons of the country.

    In a homage to former New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe and former All Blacks stalwart Jonah Lomu, the winning team from the inaugural clash will be feted with the trophy named after the two sporting greats.

    Christchurch’s Hagley Oval will be the setting for the hotly anticipated T20 clash between former and current players of New Zealand’s rugby and cricket teams. Team Rugby is being led by current All Blacks skipper Kieran Read and includes star outside back Israel Dagg along with siblings Beauden and Jordie Barrett.

    It also includes former All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw while former Australia batsman David Hussey has been picked as the international wildcard.

    Team Cricket are led by former Blackcaps skipper Brendon McCullum and includes the likes of Chris Harris, Luke Ronchi, Nathan Astle, Grant Elliot and James Franklin. McCullum’s men are yet to pick their international wildcard for the tie which takes place on January 25.

    The event has been conceptualised by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming along with Duco Events director David Higgins. The proceeds from the T20 clash is set to go to the New Zealand Cricket and Rugby Players Associations to help with player welfare needs.

    The Lomu-Crowe trophy was unveiled by the organisers on Wednesday with Higgins expressing his delight at the chance to honour the two New Zealand legends.

    “It’s truly fitting that the names of these two national heroes have pride of place on what is a wonderful, iconic piece of Kiwi art,” Higgins was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.

    “I’ve always believed that Martin and Jonah have not been fully recognised for the contribution they made to the country through their tremendous deeds on and off the sports field. Both Martin and Jonah were men whose achievements transcended the sports field. So to be able to honour them even in a small way by naming the T20 Black Clash trophy the Lomu-Crowe trophy just feels right,” he added.

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