After completing the designing of the coveted ICC World Cup trophy, the next process is much tougher as it involves the engraving of the trophy – a job that requires the utmost skill and practice and allows for almost no room for mistakes.

David Bedford, the Hand Engraver is one of the best men to do the engraving job on the trophy as he has been doing such things since 1965. Talking about it, he said, “It’s been near on 50 years, it’s been my life. And a passion too – my wife says, ‘I don’t think you’ll ever retire fully’.”

Steven Ottewill, the Trophy Director, says the concept “encapsulates all of the elements of cricket – the stumps, the globe, the world arena is engraved on the top”.

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It’s Bedford’s job to engrave the trophy, which helps to add character to the various elements. He says drawing skills are an absolute must when it comes to engraving. He said, “You must be able to draw. Anything we do, to be able to cut it, you’ve to be able to draw. It’s all done free-hand first – drawn, then scribed, then cut. Drawing skills are essential.”

Click here for watching the video of Bedford doing his job

Bedford’s been doing this for so long now that a lot of it comes naturally to him and now it has become instinctive for him. He said, “I’ve got a selection of cutters here that I use for different projects. Some of these handles are probably 200 years old, maybe. You can pick a cutter up and it just will feel correct – it’s in you, it’s in your hands. Years and years of concentrating, you pick up a cutter and you can just do it.”