Adam Gilchrist, Jack Ryder to be inducted into Australia Hall of Fame

Adam Gilchrist

Melbourne, Jan 25 (IANS) Former Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and former captain and selector Jack Ryder will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal Night on Tuesday.

The pair will be recognised for their outstanding cricket achievements - both on and off the field - for Australia and will join illustrious company as the 40th (Ryder) and 41st (Gilchrist) inductees respectively.

"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."

In 96 Tests for Australia, Gilchrist amassed 5,570 runs at an average of 47.60 and, even more remarkably, a strike rate of 81.95 - second only to former India opener Virender Sehwag among batsmen who have scored more than 2,000 runs.

Gilchrist also holds the Australian record for the most dismissals, with 416 in 191 innings (379 catches, 37 stumpings).

"It's a tremendous honour," Gilchrist said of the induction.

"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."

The first Test captain of Donald Bradman, Ryder played 20 Tests for Australia, compiling 1394 runs at an average of 51.62 with three centuries and nine half-centuries. Also known for his wily medium pace, Ryder collected 17 wickets at an average of 43.70.

But it wasn't just Ryder's on-field exploits that set him apart, with the Collingwood product also contributing to the game over more than 20 years as a national selector alongside Bradman.