Frank Worrell Trophy Explained
The history and significance of the Frank Worrell Trophy — the Test cricket series played between Australia and West Indies since 1960.
What Is the Frank Worrell Trophy?
The Frank Worrell Trophy is the prize contested when Australia and West Indies play a Test series. It was named in honour of Sir Frank Worrell, the first black man to captain the West Indies cricket team on a full-time basis, following his role in the legendary 1960–61 tied-Test series in Australia — one of the most celebrated tours in cricket history.
The 1960–61 Tour
The 1960–61 West Indies tour of Australia under Frank Worrell produced cricket of extraordinary quality and sportsmanship. The first Test at Brisbane ended in the first-ever tied Test in cricket history. The final match in Melbourne drew a crowd of 90,000, and when the West Indies squad departed Australia by ferry, half a million Melburnians lined the streets in a farewell unprecedented for a cricket team. The trophy was instituted in Worrell's honour in 1960.
West Indies Dominance
West Indies were the dominant force in the Frank Worrell Trophy series through the 1970s and 1980s — the era of Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner. Australia regained and held the trophy through the late 1990s and 2000s under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, when the West Indies team entered a long period of decline.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Frank Worrell Trophy first played?
The Frank Worrell Trophy was first contested in the 1960–61 series in Australia. The trophy took its name from the West Indies captain during that tour.
Who has won the Frank Worrell Trophy more often?
Australia have dominated the Frank Worrell Trophy in recent decades, winning consecutive series from the late 1990s through the 2010s.
Is the Frank Worrell Trophy still played?
Yes — Australia and West Indies continue to contest the Frank Worrell Trophy in bilateral Test series, with WTC points also on the line in the current cycle.