Sachin Tendulkar, Allan Donald, and Cathryn Fitzpatrick inducted into ICC Hall of Fame
India's Sachin Tendulkar, South Africa's Allan Donald and Australia's Cathryn Fitzpatrick were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame at a ceremony in London on Thursday. Tendulkar, who retired from cricket in November 2013, was inducted as soon as he became eligible for induction.
Tendulkar, who still holds an array of batting records, became the sixth Indian to be inducted after Bishan Singh Bedi (2009), Sunil Gavaskar (2009), Kapil Dev (2009), Anil Kumble (2015), Rahul Dravid (2018).
"On this occasion, I would like to thank all of those who were by my side over a long international career. My parents, brother Ajit and wife Anjali have been pillars of strength while I was lucky to have someone like coach Ramakant Achrekar as an early guide and mentor," Tendulkar was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.
Donald, who was known during his playing days as the âwhite lightning,â picking up 602 scalps in international cricket, was more in shock on his induction. He went all the way to the roots of his game to thank Ewie Cronje, father of Hansie Cronje, his uncle, Des Donald, and the late Bob Woolmer.Â
"The biggest shock when you open an email like that - it says congratulations Allan Donald, you have been inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame! It hits you, it hits you quite hard because it is a prestigious award and something that you can't take lightly. I thank the ICC for the huge honour. The reflection is of such a nature that everything that you have done in your career since you were a little boy starts to creep into your head. There are so many people to thank who have influenced my life - as mentors, as coaches,â Donald said.
The third inductee was another speedster. The former Australian pacer, Fitzpatrick, is known as one of the fastest bowlers to emerge from the womenâs game. Her fiery spells knocked over batsman the world over all during her 16 year career, with 180 ODI wickets to go with her 60 Test match scalps. She won the World Cup twice, and then guided Australia to twin T20 World Cups, and the 2013 World Cup, as coach.
Talking about the induction, Fitzpatrick said: "To gain recognition alongside many of the games' giants is a huge honour. I look at the list of past inductees and what stands out most is not only their outstanding talent but that they were game-changers. They took the game on and changed the way it was played."
