NEW DELHI, India - Former captains Rahul Dravid of India and Australia's Ricky Ponting have been inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame together with England women's wicketkeeper-batter Claire Taylor, the world governing body said Monday.
Dravid and Ponting both scored more than 10,000 runs in Tests and one-day internationals for their respective nations. They and Taylor were given the honours at a glittering ceremony in Dublin on Sunday.
"Only the very best players in the world are recognised for their contribution to cricket in this way and I would like to congratulate Rahul, Ricky and Claire who are wonderful additions to the list of cricketing luminaries in the Hall of Fame," International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson said.
Dravid became only the fifth player from India to be included in the list after Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble. The 45-year-old Dravid, who amassed 13,288 runs in 164 Tests with 36 centuries, is now mentoring Indian youngsters as coach of India 'A' and the Under-19 side. Ponting, 43, ended his career in 2012, accumulating 13,378 runs in 168 Tests with 41 centuries and 13,704 runs in 325 ODIs with 30 centuries.
Although coaching commitments mean Rahul couldn't be here tonight, he has sent this brief message from India as he takes his place among cricket's all-time greats #ICCHallofFame pic.twitter.com/uRSHHurKIc
— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2018
Ponting, the 25th from Australia to be inducted, said he felt “I feel deeply honoured to be recognised by the ICC": "I loved every moment of my journey as a player and am so very proud of the team and personal achievements along the way.
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.”
Taylor is the seventh woman overall and the third from England to be named in the list. "It's a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside some of the greatest names of the men's and women's game from across the world and throughout the generations, players who I looked up to during my playing career and hold in great esteem," she said.
BREAKING: Claire Taylor inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Named Player of the Tournament in both the ICC Women’s World T20 and the ICC Women’s World Cup, Taylor was also the first woman to be named Wisden Cricketer of the Year. #ICCHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/dR7rPY4PJv