A new prize has been unveiled for the three-test New Zealand-England cricket series, starting Thursday in Christchurch

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will recognise the contribution of Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe to the countries' relationship.

The spoils have been made with wood sourced from a bat owned by each player, and designed by David Ngawati.

He was the craftsman who designed the Tangiwai Shield, introduced for New Zealand-South Africa contests last summer.

The bat gifted by the Thorpe family is the Kookaburra with which he scored his first two centuries against New Zealand in 1997.

The Crowe willow was the Gunn and Moore he used to score his century at Lord's in 1994.

Crowe's sister Deb and Thorpe's former captain Mike Atherton will unveil the trophy at Hagley Oval.