The ICC has announced three new inductees to the ICC Hall of Fame with England’s Alastair Cook, India’s Neetu David and South Africa’s AB de Villiers being the latest additions.
Alastair Cook
Known as one of the greatest opening batters in the Tests, England great Cook has registered his cricketing fame by winning a place in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
With his techniques, focus and patience Cook has an experience of 12 years and has broken plenty of records along the way. His roles as an opener have been seen through two greatest victories in recent times during the 2010-11 Ashes Triumph and the 2012 Test series win in India.
Playing 150 consecutive test appearances, he has a world record for the most consecutive test matches. Cook has played 161 tests, 92 ODIs and 4 T20Is scoring 12,472, 3204 and 61 runs across the format respectively.
While speaking about his induction into the Hall of Fame, Cook admitted “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,” Cook said.
“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.
“I was very lucky to stay injury-free, meet some great people, share some great highs, and some great lows, which I think are important as well, and make memories which I’ll never forget.”
Neetu David
Neetu David, the second Indian woman to make it into the Hall of Fame following the induction of Diana Edulji in 2023 has made 100 appearances for the country, she is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Women’s ODI cricket with 141 scalps and was the first female player from India to claim 100 ODI wickets.
David said it was a great honour to join the ICC Hall of Fame. “It is truly an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, something that I consider to be the highest recognition available to anyone who puts on their national team jersey.”
“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,” David said.
“To be considered a Hall of Famer alongside the greatest players that ever lived is humbling, and I am thrilled to be part of this exclusive club.
“I would like to thank the ICC for the recognition, as well as all the BCCI, my teammates, coaches, family and friends that were a constant source of support throughout my career.”
AB de Villiers
The South African great AB de Villiers who scores with a full array of shots against all types of bowlers, AB de Villiers is regarded as one of the most destructive batters in cricket. His techniques and knowledge in cricket make him a deserved member of the Hall of Fame.
In his 14-year career, he has more than 20,000 runs across all three formats and is considered one of the greatest fielders of all time. De Villiers has paid tribute to the contribution his South African teammates had made throughout his international career.
Mr 360 inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame 🎖
Saluting the impeccable brilliance of AB de Villiers 👊 pic.twitter.com/vhJ9Z6GYzG
— ICC (@ICC) October 16, 2024
While exiting from international cricket in 2018, de Villiers with a batting average of higher than 50 in both Test and ODI cricket, with Jacques Kallis being the only South African player to boast more than De Villiers’ 20,014 international runs.
“It is a tremendous honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, joining a select group of cricketers to be recognised in this way,” de Villiers said.
“Cricket is often described as an individual sport within a team game… and it’s true that, whether you are a batter taking guard at the crease or a bowler pausing at the start of his run-up, you – and only you – are responsible for what happens.”
“That said, everyone who plays cricket understands it is, in spirit, a team game.
“And I know I would have achieved nothing without the help and support of so many teammates, coaches and support staff from my early days at school in Pretoria, through so many memorable days at the Titans and with the South Africa team – and, indeed in franchise cricket – all around the world.”
