Nine of the most ridiculous trophies in cricket - in pictures

Bilateral cricket has been in full swing with some memorable series in 2021. With the international calendar packed for the rest of year, trophy makers, sponsors and cricket boards have been working overtime to ensure the presentation ceremonies have an eye-catching prize.

Here we look at some of the weird and wonderful trophies cricket has offered to winning captains. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

The original absurd trophy. England and Australia has played eight Test matches until the touring Australians won a one-off match at The Oval in 1882. The Sporting Times in London issued a death notice which read: "In Affectionate Remembrance of English Cricket which died at the Oval on 29th August, 1882, Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R.I.P. N.B.—The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia."

When England toured Australia in 1882-83, Ivo Bligh, the captain, was presented a small terracotta urn about 10.5 centimetres tall that legend says contains the ashes of a burnt cricket ball.

The two nations do not play for the exact urn these days — it's far too delicate to handle — so they play for replicas, which, let's face it, is just as ridiculous.

Until recently, there's not been a championship for Test cricket. Instead nations play to be the ICC's No 1-ranked team that requires something a little stronger than a scientific calculator to work out. The trophy is a mace. It looks quite brilliant until you realise that the shaft of the trophy is a cricket stump.

Played between Australia and Sri Lanka, this Test series celebrates the two most successful spinners of all time. Mounted on a block of wood, the hand grips