The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced seven new additions to the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame on Monday, June 09. The list included legendary cricketers MS Dhoni, Graeme Smith, Daniel Vettori, Hashim Amla, Matthew Hayden, Sana Mir, and Sarah Taylor. Dhoni and Smith epitomized what fearless leadership looks like by leading India and South Africa, respectively, with absolute grace and dignity. While Vettori, Amla, and Hayden were the silent pillars for New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia respectively.
Mir and Taylor were the trailblazers for Pakistan and England respectively, and made a whole generation believed to take cricket. ICC Chair Jay Shah welcomed the new members to the Hall of Fame gala event at Abbey Road Studios in London.
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"Through the ICC Hall of Fame, we pay tribute to the finest players the game has seen, individuals whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket's legacy and inspired generations," Shah said.
“This year, we are privileged to induct seven truly outstanding individuals into this prestigious group. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them and hope they cherish this well-deserved recognition as a defining moment in their cricketing journey.”
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Matthew Hayden, Amla & Dhoni thank ICC for the prestigious Hall of Fame honor
Hayden, who played 103 Tests and scored 8,625 runs and 6,133 ODI runs in 161 games, epitomized what power-hitting can be. Not only in ODIs, but the southpaw also played an attacking brand of cricket in Tests. His blazing efforts, set up easy wins for Australia. The Aussie was honored to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
"The ICC Hall of Fame includes many of my heroes of yesteryear as well as contemporaries whom I admired and enjoyed competing against," he said.
"Each of these players gave something to the game in their own way. It is incredible to be recognized along with them."
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If Hayden was destructive, then South Africa's Amla showcased what elegance and grace can look like on the cricket field by scoring some of the most beautiful runs in ODIs and Tests. Amla's leg-side flick is still talked about as one of the best shots by a batter. He ended up scoring 9,282 Test runs in 124 Tests at an average of 46.64. In 181 ODIs, the stylish batter added 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46. The Protean legend was honored to receive the award alongside Smith.
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"It is an honor to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, especially alongside Graeme," Amla said.
"The Hall of Fame includes some of the most celebrated players in the history of cricket, all of whom have big achievements. Such recognition feels surreal, and I am really thankful."
The only captain to win all ICC Trophies, MS Dhoni was the only Indian inducted alongside other six inductees. The 42-year-old was not the most pleasing cricketer to play the game, but he carried a fighting and determined attitude as a leader, which transformed the Indian Cricket Team. He ended up scoring 10,773 runs from 350 ODIs and 4,876 runs in 90 Tests at an average of 38.
"It is an honor to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognizes the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world," he said.
"To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever."
