Michael Bevan, one of Australia’s greatest one-day cricketers, has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame after a recent change in selection rules.
Bevan was a master at chasing down targets in ODIs, scoring 6912 runs at an impressive average of 53.58 in 232 matches. He was famous for guiding Australia to victory under pressure, with one of his most memorable moments being his last-ball boundary against the West Indies at the SCG on New Year’s Day in 1996, securing a thrilling one-wicket win.
Other highlights of his career include a heroic 102 off 95 balls against New Zealand at the MCG in 2002, rescuing Australia from 82 for 6, and his unbeaten 74 against England in the 2003 World Cup.
Despite his incredible ODI record, Bevan had been overlooked for the Hall of Fame for 15 years due to his modest Test career, where he played only 18 matches.
However, the Hall of Fame committee recently updated its rules to give equal recognition to players who excelled in one-day and T20 cricket, not just Test matches.
Hall of Fame chairman Peter King explained, "Michael’s remarkable career and impact on the game led us to revise our criteria. He changed the way white-ball cricket was played and became a household name for his skill, athleticism, and ability to finish games."
Cricket Australia’s CEO Nick Hockley also praised Bevan, calling him an "icon and a pioneer" in ODI cricket. "He had an incredible temperament and always performed under pressure. He won two World Cups and was one of the most consistent batters in Australian domestic cricket as well."
Bevan had an outstanding domestic career, playing for Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and several English counties. In first-class cricket, he scored 19,147 runs at an average of 57.32, including 68 centuries and a highest score of 216.
With his induction, Bevan joins Michael Clarke and Christina Matthews, who were also added to the Hall of Fame this season. His inclusion ensures that limited-overs greats receive the recognition they deserve, cementing his legacy as one of Australia’s finest ODI players.
Updated on 03 February, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.