Legends of the realm of cricket – Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting – join the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on Sunday night.
2009 ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year Claire Taylor is also a new inductee into the ICC’s hall of great honor.
Dravid was speaking at the ceremony through a video message last night and said, “It is a matter of great honour to be named by the ICC in the Cricket Hall of Fame. To find your name in a list of all-time greats across generations is something one only dreams of while setting out on a cricket career and the kind of recognition that would delight any player.”
The former Indian captain added, “I’m thankful to my near and dear ones as well as players I have played with and against, coaches and officials who have backed me over the years and helped me develop as a cricketer. I would also like to thank the KSCA and the BCCI for all the support over the years and the ICC for recognizing my achievements and picking me in this group of Hall of Fame inductees.”
Dravid is known as “The Wall”, the former Indian player has attained the title to be the fifth Indian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, following Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Anil Kumble.
On the other hand, two-time World Cup winning Australian captain Ricky Ponting, said, he was honoured to be recognized by the cricket’s governing body.
“I feel deeply honoured to be recognised by the ICC in this way. I loved every moment of my journey as a player and am so very proud of the team and personal achievements along the way,” former kangaroo captain shared.
“These would not have been possible without the help of so many people including my teammates, coaches and support staff that played such an integral part in my playing career. I would like to especially thank my family for their constant support and direction. Honours like this are just as much for them as it is for me,” Ponting added.
Ponting has won three consecutive World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Last but not the least, English cricketer Claire Taylor has become the seventh player to join the Hall of Fame.
Taylor is one of just four players to score more than 1000 runs in Women’s Tests and 4000 runs in Women’s ODIs.
With her dedication, Taylor took England to historic success in 2009 where she was named the player of the tournament as England won the Women’s World Cup in Australia and Women’s World Twenty20 in England.
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