Crowe-Thorpe Trophy

The 2026 Crowe-Thorpe Trophy took place from 4 June to 29 June 2026, with the final Test held at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. New Zealand won the three-match series 2-1 to claim the trophy.

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy has quickly become one of the most intriguing bilateral contests in the Test calendar, blending tradition, rivalry and modern WTC stakes. The 2026 edition, originally previewed as a marquee red-ball event, ultimately delivered on that promise and unfolded as one of the most closely followed England-New Zealand series of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle. With both teams navigating new combinations and long-term planning for the 2025-2027 WTC race, the series carried competitive weight beyond its three-Test structure, especially for Indian fans following the tactical shifts across an extended Test tour.

The scheduling framework remained intact, but once the matches were played, the narrative shifted from anticipation to outcome. Lord’s opened the series and produced a strong start for England, who secured a 115-run victory to take an early lead. The momentum changed sharply at The Oval, where New Zealand levelled the series with a commanding win, showcasing their adaptability in English conditions. The decider at Trent Bridge then became the defining chapter of the tour, with New Zealand sealing the trophy through a composed and disciplined performance that earned them the 2-1 series triumph. For a young trophy still building its legacy, this result marked a significant moment, as New Zealand claimed their first Crowe-Thorpe title.

The series also drew strong interest across England's established Test cricket venues, with Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge providing the backdrop for three closely watched matches. The strong demand for tickets and hospitality reflected the enduring appeal of Test cricket in England, particularly for a series involving two teams competing for valuable WTC points. Lord’s and Trent Bridge both recorded strong supporter interest around their respective Tests, adding to the atmosphere throughout the series.

Broadcast and streaming coverage gave the series a broad international audience. Sky Sports and NOW carried the matches in the UK, while Indian audiences followed the action through the relevant domestic broadcast and digital platforms. The three Tests also generated sustained online discussion as the series moved from England’s opening victory to New Zealand’s two successive wins. For Indian cricket followers, the afternoon IST sessions offered an accessible window into the tactical shifts and changing momentum across the tour.

The series unfolded during a vibrant English summer that also featured the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, creating a festival-like cricket atmosphere across London and Nottingham. This overlap added to the wider cricketing activity around the venues and gave fans a varied schedule of international matches to follow. For Indian fans, the combination of heritage venues, challenging English conditions and the tactical depth of a three-Test series offered a familiar narrative that blended tradition with modern WTC significance.

The series benefited from strong digital engagement, particularly on social platforms where match highlights and session-by-session updates generated substantial attention. ICC and ECB digital channels highlighted key moments throughout the series, with the Trent Bridge decider attracting particular interest as New Zealand completed their comeback. The result also added another memorable chapter to the early history of the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, which was created to honor Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe.

As of mid-2026, no further men's Test series between England and New Zealand had been formally scheduled beyond the 2026 Crowe-Thorpe Trophy. England's confirmed 2027 home programme includes white-ball matches against New Zealand rather than another Test series, so the date of the next Crowe-Thorpe Trophy contest remains unconfirmed.