Cricket West Indies has been awarded the 2020 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in conjunction with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The CWI 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, they said.
The award singles out Cricket West Indies for their efforts, but both MCC and the BBC placed 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,” MCC and BBC said in their statement.
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 the hosts’ previously scheduled matches.
The CMJ Spirit of Cricket award was created in 2013 by MCC and the BBC in memory of former MCC President and BBC Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins (“CMJ”), who was passionate about promoting the spirit of the game.
The award has previously been won by: Wayne Madsen of Derbyshire; Sussex’s Luke Wright; Brendon McCullum of New Zealand; Tom Fell of Worcestershire, England’s Anya Shrubsole, and Dan Bowser and Chris Edwards of the England Learning Disability Team.
Last year’s winners were the New Zealand Men’s team, who were recognised for their exemplary display of sporting conduct in the wake of the 2019 ICC Men’s World Cup Final at Lord’s.