“I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to join such illustrious company, childhood heroes and icons of the game from previous eras which you grow up hearing about”
Image courtesy of: icc-cricket.com
Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and all-rounder Jack Ryder will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal ceremony in Sydney on Tuesday.
Gilchrist represented Australia in 96 Test matches and scored 5,570 runs, which included 17 centuries and 26 half-centuries, at a brilliant average of 47.60. He also played 287 ODIs and amassed 9,619 runs, which included 16 centuries and 55 half-centuries at an average of 35.89. Furthermore, Gilchrist also featured in 13 Twenty20 Internationals and accumulated 272 runs at an average of 22.66.
Ryder meanwhile played 20 Test matches and scored 1,394 runs, which included three centuries and nine half-centuries, at a magnificent average of 51.62. He also took 17 wickets at an average of 43.70.
“Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder made enormous contributions to Australian cricket in different ways,” Hall of Fame chairman David Crow said. “Gilly epitomised the cricketer we all loved to go and watch. He lightened up the game. We all wanted to go to see Gilly because he was such a high quality entertainer. He was able to combine his explosive batting with brilliant wicketkeeping.”
Crow added that Ryder’s off-field contributions led to him being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“That’s where Jack excelled,” Crow said. “He made a fantastic contribution to the game over seven decades at national, state and club level. He had an amazing commitment.”
Speaking about joining an elite club of cricketers to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Gilchrist said: “It’s a tremendous honour. I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to join such illustrious company, childhood heroes and icons of the game from previous eras which you grow up hearing about. No one sets out to earn these accolades. You play the game because you love it, so acknowledgements like this go beyond the thrill of playing for Australia.”