Name the Australia v South Africa trophy

Cricket fans have been given an opportunity to influence cricket history by helping to give an official name to the perpetual trophy awarded to the winner of Test series between Australia and South Africa.

Despite their long and storied Test history against each other, the trophy awarded to the winning team of series between Australia and South Africa has never carried an official name.

Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa have decided the time has come and are calling on fans to suggest names that will hold a special meaning for both countries.

Fans are encouraged to go to the cricket.com.au Facebook page or tweet @CricketAus to offer their suggestions and debate the naming of the trophy with other fans.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland has welcomed the discussion amongst supporters and said suggestions would be considered by both CA and CSA before they decide on the official name for the series.

While most major trophies around the world are named after famous players - such as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy and the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy - fans have been encouraged to think outside the box and offer creative suggestions.

"We'd love to hear what fans think this series might be called, and we encourage discussion to consider the names of past players but not be limited by that," he said.

"A concept or theme that has strong meaning for both countries is also encouraged as a basis for discussion.

"My counterpart in South Africa, Haroon Lorgat and I have talked about agreeing on a name for our great Test series contests, and this will provide us with the further impetus to consider this and have a selection of quality ideas that will come from cricket fans on both sides of the Indian Ocean."

If past Australian and South African players are to be considered, the numbers offer up some unsurprising names who have dominated Tests between the two nations since South Africa was readmitted in 1991.

The likes of Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Steve Waugh and Graeme Smith are near the top of the batting numbers, while Shane Warne easily tops the bowlers ahead of Mitchell Johnson and Makhaya Ntini.

Australia v South Africa Tests (since 1993)

Most runs
(past players only, min 1000 runs)

Ricky Ponting (Australia)

M: 26 | R: 2132 | 100s: 8 | 50s: 11 | Ave: 47.37 | HS: 143*

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

M: 28 | R: 1978 | 100s: 5 | 50s: 10 | Ave: 40.36 | HS: 147

Michael Clarke (Australia)

M: 14 | R: 1487 | 100s: 5 | 50s: 3 | Ave: 67.59 | HS: 259*

Matthew Hayden (Australia)

M: 19 | R: 1486 | 100s: 6 | 50s: 5 | Ave: 43.70 | HS: 138

Graeme Smith (South Africa)

M: 20 | R: 1226 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 5 | Ave: 34.05 | HS: 122

Steve Waugh (Australia)

M: 16 | R: 1147 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 7 | Ave: 49.86 | HS: 164

Mark Waugh (Australia)

M: 18 | R: 1135 | 100s: 4 | 50s: 4 | Ave: 42.03 | HS: 116

Gary Kirsten (South Africa)

M: 18 | R: 1134 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 5 | Ave: 34.36 | HS: 153

Michael Hussey (Australia)

M: 17 | R: 1108 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 6 | Ave: 38.20 | HS: 122

Most wickets
(past players only, min 50 wickets)

Shane Warne (Australia)

M: 24 | W: 130 | 5wi: 7 | 10wm: 2 | Ave: 24.16 | BBI: 7-56

Mitchell Johnson (Australia)

M: 12 | W: 64 | 5wi: 3 | 10wm: 2 | Ave: 25.64 | BBI: 8-61

Makhaya Ntini (South Africa)

M: 15 | W: 58 | 5wi: 2 | 10wm: 1 | Ave: 34.74 | BBI: 6-100

Glenn McGrath (Australia)

M: 17 | W: 57 | 5wi: 2 | 10wm: 0 | Ave: 27.33 | BBI: 6-86

Allan Donald (South Africa)

M: 14 | W: 53 | 5wi: 2 | 10wm: 0 | Ave: 31.07 | BBI: 6-59

Brett Lee (Australia)

M: 28 | W: 50 | 5wi: 2 | 10wm: 0 | Ave: 34.64 | BBI: 5-69

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

M: 28 | W: 50 | 5wi: 0 | 10wm: 0 | Ave: 37.56 | BBI: 3-22