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Cricket world calls for change amid farcical scenes for Aussies in trophy presentation

Australia were paraded on stage with the Frank Worrell Trophy despite an embarrassing loss at the Gabba.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Shamar Joseph and the Australian cricket team after the second Test.
Shamar Joseph was man of the match, but it was the Australian cricket paraded on stage with the Frank Worrell Trophy. Image: Getty

Cricket fans and commentators are calling for a re-think in terms of 'retaining' a trophy, after some farcical scenes involving Australia and the West Indies on Sunday. The Windies secured their first win in a Test in Australia in 27 years, with Shamar Joseph bowling a heroic spell to lead his side to victory at the Gabba.

But because the series finished 1-1 and Australia 'retained' the Frank Worrell Trophy, it was the hosts who were presented with the silverware on stage. The Aussie players looked rather sheepish as they stood on the presentation stage despite suffering an embarrassing loss - and for good reason.

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The hosts were soundly outplayed by the cricketing minnows, with the West Indies sending a vastly inexperienced team to Australia. A number of the Windies' top players had opted against travelling to Australia, choosing the riches of T20 cricket over the tradition of Tests.

The Windies players celebrated wildly after Joseph castled Josh Hazlewood for the final wicket, with greats like Brian Lara, Carl Hooper and Ian Biship in or close to tears during respective commentary roles. So it was very jarring for many to see the Aussie players handed the trophy and paraded on stage after a loss, while the Windies were forced to watch on.

The Windies players took it upon themselves to celebrate on the stage after Australia had their moment, sticking around on the field for a long time afterwards. Channel 7 commentator Alison Mitchell wrote on social media: β€œThis was WI long after the presentation. Time to forget the idea of β€˜retaining’ a trophy?

"Massive anti-climax when the Aussies were called up to lift the F-W Trophy having lost a thriller and series drawn 1-1. WI deserved to be on the podium with them to share it.”

West Indies players, pictured here after the second Test against Australia.
The West Indies players took it upon themselves to celebrate on stage. (Photo by Albert Perez - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Cricket fans want an end to two-Test series

Many were also left calling for two-Test series to be abolished, but the unfortunate reality is they're probably here to stay. Outside of series involving Australia, India or England playing each other, there are hardly any that last longer than two Tests these days. The costs associated with playing more than two Tests and sending teams overseas don't exactly match the monetary rewards for the lower-ranked teams in world cricket.

Mitchell said it would have looked weird for Australia to be presented the trophy after just one Test, which is why they should always be three-match series at a minimum. Commentator Brett Sprigg wrote: β€œAs much as I’d love a deciding Test, the conclusion to the series fuels the fire for at least the next (Windies away, June 2025). Admittedly that is also only a two Test series, and they don’t come back to Aus before 2027.”

Pat Cummins and the Australian cricket team.
Pat Cummins and the Australian team got to lift the trophy on stage despite their loss. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Others said it felt 'disrespectful' and 'weird' that Australia were the ones on stage with the trophy despite the Windies winning the match. Some said the upcoming ODI and T20 matches should count towards who ends up with the trophy - as is common in women's international cricket.

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