ICC inducts three former cricketers into Hall of Fame

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the induction of three cricket legends into the ICC Hall of Fame: England’s Alastair Cook, India’s Neetu David, and South Africa’s AB de Villiers. The announcement was made on Wednesday, honouring the extraordinary contributions each player has made to the sport.

Alastair Cook:

Alastair Cook, one of the finest opening batsmen in Test cricket history, further cements his legacy with this prestigious recognition. Over a remarkable 12-year international career, Cook redefined consistency as a Test opener and became England’s all-time leading run-scorer. Even six years after his retirement, he remains ranked among the top six run-scorers globally.

Cook’s accolades include pivotal roles in England’s two major overseas victories: the 2010-11 Ashes and the 2012 Test series win in India. His exceptional leadership saw him captain the national team for several years, leading them to numerous notable series wins abroad. Remarkably, he holds the world record for the most consecutive Test matches played, with 159 appearances.

Expressing his surprise at the induction, Cook stated, “It was a surprise, and certainly just when you read the list of people that you're joining, it's a great list to have joined. I feel very privileged.”

He reflected on his career, saying, “Every time I pulled on the English shirt, I tried my best to be as good as I could be. I had the best 20 years playing cricket… and make memories which I'll never forget.”

Neetu David: 

Neetu David, the second Indian woman to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, follows Diana Edulji’s recognition in 2023. A prolific spinner, David has made a lasting mark in Indian cricket, both on and off the field. She is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in women’s ODI cricket, with 141 wickets, and was the first Indian woman to claim 100 ODI wickets.

David’s most notable achievement remains her astonishing bowling figures of 8/53 against England in 1995, which still stand as the best by a woman in an individual Test innings. Off the field, she continues to influence the game as the selection chair for India’s women’s team, ushering in a new era of professionalism and support for players.

“Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is truly an honour,” David expressed. “This comes after a lifetime of dedication to this great sport and it caps a very special journey for me to get to this point.”

AB de Villiers: 

AB de Villiers, celebrated for his innovative and destructive batting style, has left an indelible mark on international cricket. Over a 14-year career, he amassed more than 20,000 international runs across all formats and was renowned as one of the game’s finest fielders.

De Villiers holds the record for the fastest-ever men’s ODI century and has been awarded multiple ICC Men’s ODI Player of the Year titles. He boasts an impressive batting average exceeding 50 in both Test and ODI cricket, with only Jacques Kallis surpassing his total runs for South Africa.

“Cricket is often described as an individual sport within a team game… but everyone who plays cricket understands it is, in spirit, a team game,” de Villiers said. He acknowledged the crucial support of his teammates and coaches throughout his journey.