The Spin | ‘A spiritual journey’: the story behind cricket’s new Crowe-Thorpe Trophy

Artist behind prize for winner of New Zealand v England series explains emotional process of fusing cricketers’ bats

In the moments before the first Test started in Christchurch last week the television cameras alighted on the new Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, the prize that awaits the winners of the ongoing series between New Zealand and England. On TNT Sports Alastair Cook grew effusive. “It’s not often that boards get things absolutely spot on but that is a brilliant trophy,” he said, “and whoever came up with the idea, it’s fantastic.”

That will be the Maori artist David Ngawati. ““I did different concepts and drawings for New Zealand cricket,” he says. “I guess it’s a co-creation really. People tell me the story and then I create concepts from that, then they decide what they want to go with.”

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MLS Cup is a chance for LA Galaxy to become the league’s glamour club again

The club of David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Robbie Keane has been through a downturn. A sixth title would restore some shine

As Major League Soccer moved into a new age with Inter Miami’s signing of Lionel Messi last year, the LA Galaxy had seemingly been left behind as a relic of different era. The club of David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Robbie Keane failed to make the playoffs for the fifth time in seven seasons. Supporters protested against the Galaxy’s leadership and boycotted matches. MLS’s original glamour club had lost its shine.

Now, though, the Galaxy are just one game from a record sixth MLS Cup title with Greg Vanney’s team hosting the New York Red Bulls in Saturday’s championship decider. Ten years after they last lifted the trophy, the Galaxy have the opportunity to reassert their standing as the league’s marquee franchise while Messi and Co watch from home.

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Clemson visits Pack and Miami (FL)

Clemson Tigers (8-1) at Miami Hurricanes (3-5) Coral Gables, Florida; Saturday, 12 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Miami (FL) hosts Clemson after Nijel Pack scored 22 points in Miami (FL)'s 76-73 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Hurricanes have gone 3-2 in home games.