Former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan has been inducted to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame after a tweak to the criteria governing selection.
Bevan, one of Australia’s greatest white-ball players, scored 6912 runs at 53.58 from 232 ODIs while routinely steering his side to victory in many chases.
The batter’s last-ball four, to secure a one-wicket win at the SCG on New Year’s Day in 1996, ranks highly among the sport’s most iconic moments. He was a master in creating moments and memories that are etched in the die-hard cricket fans. During his decorated career, Bevan was a part of Australia’s 1999 and 2003 World Cup wins.
But, until last month, the Hall of Fame’s rules penalised him for a relatively-modest Test career that spanned 18 matches.
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“It was Michael’s exceptional playing record and public standing that pushed the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee to review its selection criteria … to ensure players who excelled in one-day or Twenty20 Internationals were equally recognised as those who shone in the Test format,” Hall of Fame chairman Peter King said in an interview.
“Michael without a doubt revolutionised white-ball cricket and became a household name for his masterful batting, amazing athleticism and ability to chase down runs.”
Bevan represented Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Yorkshire, Sussex, Leicestershire and Kent. In first-class cricket, he made 237 appearances and garnered 19,147 runs at 57.32, including 68 centuries and 81 fifties, with a top score of 216.
His induction into Australia’s Hall of Fame follows this season’s previous inductees, Michael Clarke and Christina Matthews.
(With inputs from agencies)