Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, the two greatest bowlers in world cricket history, on Thursday unveiled the new perpetual trophy bearing their name.
The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy is a joint initiative from Cricket Australia and Sri Lanka Cricket and is created to celebrate 25 years of Test cricket between the two countries.
On the eve of the second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, Warne and Muralitharan revealed the perpetual trophy that will be played for in Tests between the respective countries.
The trophy, crafted by Flynn Silver in Kyneton, Victoria, contains silver casts of Warne and Muralitharan's right hands complete with cricket balls used by both men while playing for their countries.
The hands are mounted on a bur walnut finish and sits on a gold plated bronze base. It took Flynn Silver more than 200 man hours to produce.
"The trophy is a celebration of the relationship between Cricket Australia and Sri Lanka Cricket, and a fitting way to commemorate 25 years of Test cricket between our two countries," Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O'Connor said.
"The trophy is a stunning tribute to both men, and strengthens the bond between Australia and Sri Lankan cricket. Shane and Muttiah's spinning hands have been immortalised in silver holding match used cricket balls and I'm sure the trophy will become one of the most well-known and prestigious in world cricket."
Sri Lankan team manager Shriyan Samararatne said the trophy highlights the enormous influence that Muralitharan has exerted on world cricket.
"The whole of Sri Lanka is watching and hoping that Murali can break Shane Warne's Test wicket record in this series against Australia. As the greatest player in Sri Lanka's cricket history, we are excited to be able to honour Murali in such a manner.
"Sri Lanka is very proud to join with Cricket Australia to create this trophy between our countries."
The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy joins the Border Gavaskar Trophy (India), The Sir Frank Worrell Trophy (West Indies), Trans Tasman Trophy (New Zealand), and Ashes (England) among the trophies contested between Australia and ICC member nations in Test cricket.
Ricky Ponting's Australian team have already secured the inaugural Warne-Muralitharan Trophy after taking an unassailable lead in the two-match Test Series. This is due to Australia winning the last series 1-0 in 2004.
Images: Shane Warne has a plaster mould made for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy at the Cricket Australia headquarters in Melbourne, on Thursday.
Photographs: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
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