Cricket West Indies (CWI) and its men’s and women’s senior teams have been awarded the 2020 Christopher Martin-Jenkins (CMJ) “Spirit of Cricket Award” for their “courage,” “huge sacrifices” and “personal risks” to tour England at the height of COVID-19 pandemic and to kick start the resumption of international cricket.
The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) in England in conjunction with the BBC made the announcement last week that CWI has been given the CMJ award and noted that CWI was 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.”
The MCC is based at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
West Indies was the first team to go on an international tour during the pandemic and is engaged in another series at this time in New Zealand.
Jason Holder’s Men’s team faced England in a three-match Test series, which began in early July. The team arrived in England in early June, with lock down instructions still in place across the United Kingdom and infection rates remaining prevalent.
The West Indies women led by Stafanie Taylor, stepped in at short notice to play England in a five-match Twenty20 International series in September following the cancellation of the hosts’ previously scheduled matches.
MCC President, Kumar Sangakkara said it was entirely fitting that Cricket West Indies and their men’s and women’s teams should be recognized for the courage of their decision to tour England, an act which truly embodies the “Spirit of Cricket.”
