Photo Credit: Getty Images/Cricket Australia
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee, together with Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), has announced Michael Bevan has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Bevan becomes the 66th inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and the first player inducted under the updated criteria.
A review of the criteria was undertaken by the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee and the Melbourne Cricket Club, manager of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), to ensure all formats of the game which were available in respective eras were equally recognised.
The updated criteria see the introduction of two categories in which candidates can be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame as either a Player or in the General category.
The Player category will see the Committee assess candidates for induction who have significantly contributed to the game of cricket while playing at the national level across formats available in their respective era. The Committee will consider a candidate’s outstanding service, overall contribution, impact, playing statistics, integrity, sportsmanship and general standing in the Australian community. A candidate will only be eligible for induction in the Player category after a minimum period of five years has passed since they last participated at the national representative level.
The introduction of a General category opens the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame to those candidates who have significantly contributed to the game of cricket while working or volunteering at the national and/or international level in the roles of coach, umpire, media personnel, referee, administrator or in another position as determined by the Committee.
A candidate eligible in the General category will be considered for induction through their outstanding service, overall contribution and public standing. The number of years of service to Australian cricket and the game generally across available formats in the candidate’s era shall only be a consideration and shall not be a sole determination in assessing the full eligibility of a candidate.
The Committee determined that Australian Cricket Hall of Fame could elevate inductees to Legend status. The new classification for inductees will be applied to honour players who have made the most significant contribution to the game of cricket in Australia over a prolonged period. A candidate for Legend status will have their contribution assessed by their stature in the game of cricket and how they have personally transcended their sport to become key figures in the community.
Michael Bevan is widely regarded as one of the greatest white ball players of all time, a prolific run-scorer, who was the world’s top-ranked One Day International batter for 1259 consecutive days between 1999 and 2002.
Bevan played 232 One Day Internationals, scoring 6912 runs at 53.58 including 6 centuries and 48 half centuries. He was a member of Australia’s 1999 and 2003 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup winning teams. At the time he retired, he had the third-highest batting average of any cricketer in One Day Internationals. With the ball Bevan took 36 wickets at an average of 45.97.
Bevan also played 18 Test matches, scoring 785 runs at 29.07 with the bat and taking 29 wickets and 24.24, including a 10-wicket match haul against West Indies in 1996/97 at the Adelaide Oval.
Representing Australia, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia, Yorkshire, Sussex, Leicestershire and Kent, Bevan played 237 First Class matches making 19,147 runs at 57.32 including 68 centuries and 81 half centuries with a top score of 216.
Born in Canberra, Bevan made his First-Class debut for South Australia aged 19 against Western Australia, scoring a century on debut. After a single season with South Australia, he moved to New South Wales where he played for the majority of his career.
After making his limited overs debut for Australia against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in May 1994, Bevan eventually secured his place in Australia’s middle order and became known as ‘The Finisher’ for his incredible ability to manage tense run-chase situations. An all-round athlete, who was one of the quickest runners between wickets and a brilliant fielder, Bevan also contributed as an all-rounder with his left-arm wrist spin.
He is best remembered for his unbeaten 78 at the SCG on New Year’s Day in 1996, when he rescued Australia from a near impossible position against the West Indies, hitting Roger Harper for four from the final delivery to cement his reputation as a player who thrived under pressure.
One of Bevan’s most memorable hundreds came in 2002 at the MCG against New Zealand when he rescued Australia from 6/82 to a successful chase of 246, scoring an unbeaten 102 off 95 balls.
Bevan made his Test debut in September 1994 in Karachi against Pakistan, where scored 82 in his first innings. His best performance came against West Indies at the Adelaide Oval in the 1996/97 season where he scored an unbeaten 85 and took 10 wickets in the match, including 6/82 in the second innings.
In Sheffield Shield, Bevan was a prolific run-scorer throughout his career, scoring 42 centuries, the second most of any player. In 2005, he signed with Tasmania and scored an incredible 1464 runs in the season, which included a Sheffield Shield record eight centuries.
Bevan announced his retirement in January 2007.
Peter King, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman, said:
“On behalf of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee, it is with great pride we announce Michael Bevan as the latest inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
“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.
“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.
“In the late 90s and early 2000s, the name Bevan and One-Day Internationals were synonymous with one another. Michael’s stunning performances forced fans to either flock to a stadium or turn on their televisions, which was the impact he had on the game of cricket in Australia and globally.
“Beloved by fans for his thrilling innings with the bat, Michael is known as one of the greatest players to ever play white ball cricket and his induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is truly fitting. Congratulations on this honour.”
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO said:
“Michael Bevan is an icon and a pioneer in one day cricket where he was regarded as the original finisher. He was a favourite among fans with his incredible temperament and ability to deliver in pressure situations, producing numerous memorable victories for Australia.” Hockley said.
“He is a two-time World Cup winner and finished his career with one of best records in 50-over cricket. He was also one of the most prolific run-scorers in the Sheffield Shield during what was one of the strongest eras in Australian cricket.
“Michael is widely regarded as one of the greatest one-day players of all time and it’s fantastic to recognise his contribution to the game with his inclusion in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.”
Greg Dyer, Australian Cricketers’ Association Chair said:
“Michael Bevan’s impact on Australian cricket cannot be understated. Over his career he was a fantastic servant to both the Australian team and the state system.
“While his on-field statistics speak for themselves, his dedication to get the best out of his team-mates and grow the game of cricket are achievements that should be held in just as high regard.
“A true winner – the great finisher – often willing his side over the line off his own bat, his competitiveness and determination positively impacted all those around him.
“A place in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is a fitting accolade for one of the greats of our game, and I congratulate Michael on this thoroughly deserved recognition.”
About the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was first proposed by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1995.
With the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria, the Hall of Fame was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard MP in 1996.
The selection committee is made up of representatives from all areas of cricket. Chaired by a Melbourne Cricket Club representative, four former players are joined by the respective CEOs of Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, along with two representatives from the media.
In January 2025, the ACHOF Committee announced an update to their criteria which includes the introduction of the Player and General categories to recognise individuals who have made a significant impact to Australian cricket while playing, working or volunteering. The Committee also announced the provision for a Legend Status which would be reserved for the best of the best in Australian Cricket.
Inductees are celebrated through a display in the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG, managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, in the cricket gallery. The Museum is open to the public every day from 10am – 5pm, with varied access and opening times dependent on MCG event days.
An inaugural group of ten players were inducted in 1996, and a further 56 players have been welcomed since:
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Inducted 1996 – Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee
Inducted 2000 – Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey and Allan Border
Inducted 2001 – Bill Woodfull and Arthur Morris
Inducted 2002 – Stan McCabe and Greg Chappell
Inducted 2003 – Lindsay Hassett and Ian Chappell
Inducted 2004 – Hugh Trumble and Alan Davidson
Inducted 2005 – Clem Hill and Rod Marsh
Inducted 2006 – Monty Noble and Bob Simpson
Inducted 2007 – Charles Macartney and Richie Benaud
Inducted 2008 – George Giffen and Ian Healy
Inducted 2009 – Steve Waugh
Inducted 2010 – Bill Lawry and Graham McKenzie
Inducted 2011 – Mark Taylor and Doug Walters
Inducted 2012 – Shane Warne
Inducted 2013 – Charlie Turner and Glenn McGrath
Inducted 2014 – Mark Waugh and Belinda Clark
Inducted 2015 – Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder
Inducted 2016 – Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout
Inducted 2017 – David Boon, Matthew Hayden and Betty Wilson
Inducted 2018 – Norm O’Neill, Ricky Ponting and Karen Rolton
Inducted 2019 – Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Dean Jones and Billy Murdoch
Inducted 2020 – Sharon Tredrea and Craig McDermott
Inducted 2021 – Johnny Mullagh, Merv Hughes and Lisa Sthalekar
Inducted 2022 – Justin Langer and Raelee Thompson
Inducted 2023 – Marg Jennings and Ian Redpath
Inducted 2024 – Michael Hussey and Lyn Larsen
Inducted 2025 – Michael Clarke, Christina Matthews and Michael Bevan
SELECTION PANEL as at December 2024
Chair, former Victorian player and Melbourne Cricket Club representative Peter King
Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley
2002 ACHOF inductee Greg Chappell
2014 ACHOF inductee Belinda Clark
2021 ACHOF inductee Lisa Sthalekar
2011 ACHOF inductee Mark Taylor
Journalist Greg Baum
Journalist Ben Horne
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Name of Author: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.