The ICC Test Championship Mace is an award
currently given to the winner of the ICC World Test Championship final. However, till 2019, it was awarded annually to the top-ranked Test team (as per April 1 cut-off) in the ICC Test Championship (2003–2019).
History
The mace's original design dates back to 2000, when it was crafted by Trevor Brown, a trophy designer employed at Thomas Lyte.[1][2] In 2021, the mace underwent a redesign, and the updated version was meticulously crafted by hand at the workshop of Thomas Lyte in London.[1][3]
Prior to the introduction of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, the mace was awarded to the team at the top of the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings.[1][2] Since the inception of the WTC Final, the mace has been awarded to the winning team, with the New Zealand team being the first recipient under this new system.[1][4]
Design
The mace is made from sterling silver and gold plates, with a hardwood base.[1][4] Its design features a handle resembling a cricket stump, wrapped in a silver-gilt laurel band.[1][3] The top of the mace is notable for its depiction of a gold-plated cricket ball within a global map, inspired by the sight of a cricketer holding a stump as a souvenir after a match.[1][5]
The design incorporates longitude lines similar to those on a globe, creating reflections against the golden cricket ball.[1] These lines were shaped using hot forging and soldered together to form the globe shape.[1] Around this globe is a belt displaying the insignia of the 12 Test nations participating, with space to include additional nations in the future.[1][3]
