NORMAN Gifford – one of South Cumbria’s most decorated cricketing exports – has had a piece of silverware named after him.

When Birmingham Bears meet Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston tonight, they will be contesting the new Norman Gifford Trophy.

Formerly captain of both Warwickshire and Worcestershire, spin bowler Gifford enjoyed an incredible 29-year First Class career where he took 2,068 wickets, and won 15 Test match and two ODI caps for England.

Ian Bell, captain of Birmingham Bears, said in tribute to the 76-year-old from Ulverston: “Competing for the Norman Gifford Trophy is a fantastic initiative for both clubs. Norman enjoyed a great career with both counties and won his ODI caps as a Bear. We’ll be doing all possible to ensure that the trophy stays at Edgbaston this season.”

The trophy has been named in Gifford’s honour following a social media campaign among supporters of both teams. It will be awarded to the winners of tonight’s West Midlands Derby at Edgbaston and subsequently contested at each NatWest T20 Blast meeting between the Bears and Rapids.

Daryl Mitchell, captain of Worcestershire Rapids, said: “Norman is one of the few players to play for both sides and his record speaks for itself – probably a player who would thrive in T20 given what a fantastic player he was.”

The Norman Gifford Trophy is the former Mackeson Trophy which Warwickshire and Worcestershire competed for annually in List A matches in the 1960s.