Seven Cricket Legends Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame
Celebrating Cricket's Finest at Abbey Road Studios
On June 10, a prestigious ceremony took place in London, where seven legendary cricketers were honored with induction into the ICC Hall of Fame.
During a gala event at Abbey Road Studios, ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed his admiration for the new inductees, stating, “The ICC Hall of Fame serves as a tribute to the greatest players in cricket history, whose exceptional careers have left a lasting impact on the sport and inspired countless fans.”
He further added, “This year, we are honored to welcome seven remarkable individuals into this esteemed group. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my warmest congratulations to each of them, hoping they view this recognition as a significant milestone in their cricketing careers.”
Among the inductees is the renowned Australian batsman Matthew Hayden, a two-time World Cup champion. Over his career, Hayden played 273 matches, accumulating 15,066 runs with an impressive average of 47.67 and a strike rate of 67.46, including 40 centuries and 69 fifties. His powerful batting style made him a formidable opponent for bowlers worldwide.
Hayden's record includes 30 Test centuries and a batting average exceeding 50, showcasing his prowess in the longest format of the game.
India's celebrated World Cup-winning captain, MS Dhoni, also joined the Hall of Fame, marking him as the 11th Indian cricketer to receive this honor. Dhoni's career statistics include 17,266 international runs and 829 dismissals across 538 matches, reflecting his remarkable consistency and longevity in the sport.
South African greats Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, along with former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, were also inducted. Smith played 347 matches, scoring 17,236 runs at an average of 42.34, while Amla amassed 18,672 runs in 349 matches, boasting an average of 46.56.
Vettori, known for his versatility, concluded his career with over 700 international wickets and nearly 7,000 runs, becoming one of only three players to achieve 4,000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket.
Additionally, former Pakistan women's captain Sana Mir and England's wicketkeeper-batter Sara Taylor were recognized for their contributions to women's cricket. Mir, the highest wicket-taker in ODIs for Pakistan women, took 150 wickets in 121 ODIs and 89 in T20Is, while Taylor, with a career spanning nearly 13 years, scored 6,533 international runs in 226 appearances.