AB de Villiers, Alastair Cook and Neetu David inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame
Former South African and England captains AB de Villiers and Alastair Cook were the latest inductions from the men's game to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame on October 16. From the women's side, former Indian spinner Neetu David was added to the esteemed list.
AB de Villiers remains among the most popular cricketers to ever grace the sport, thanks to his inimitable ability to score all around the park. The now 40-year-old played international cricket for 14 years and finished with over 20,000 runs , including 47 centuries in 420 matches. He finished his career with an incredible 50+ average in both Tests and ODIs.
De Villiers also holds the ODI record for the fastest century off just 31 deliveries and has been the recepient of the ICC ODI Player of the Year award multiple times. He has also been selected in the ICC Test Team of the Year on several occasions.
Coming to Alastair Cook, the defiant batter made his mark as one of the greatest Test openers of all-time. The former England captain is the sixth leading run-scorer in Test history with 12,472 runs, including 33 centuries in 161 matches. Cook was the star of England's memorable 2011 Ashes win in Australia and the 2012-13 Test series win in India.
The southpaw also scored 3,265 runs with five centuries in his 96 white-ball games.
Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Neetu David was one of India's first legendary bowlers in women's cricket, dominating the late 1990s and early 2000s. She finished her international career with 141 ODI and 41 Test wickets, including 3 five-wicket hauls.
She remains the second leading wicket-taker for India in ODIs and the first Indian to scale 100 ODI scalps.
"Everyone who plays cricket understands it is, in spirit, a team game" - AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers was delighted to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, joining other legendary names and thanked his team mates, coaches and other support staff members for his success.
He said to the ICC:
"It is a tremendous honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, joining a select group of cricketers to be recognised in this way. Cricket is often described as an individual sport within a team game… and it’s true that, whether you are a batter taking guard at the crease or a bowler pausing at the start of his run-up, you - and only you - are responsible for what happens. That said, everyone who plays cricket understands it is, in spirit, a team game."
De Villiers added:
"And I know I would have achieved nothing without the help and support of so many teammates, coaches and support staff from my early days at school in Pretoria, through so many memorable days at the Titans and with the South Africa team - and, indeed in franchise cricket - all around the world."
Meanwhile, Alastair Cook was surprised when informed about his induction into the Hall of Fame.
"It was a surprise, and certainly just when you read the list of people that you're joining, it's a great list to have joined. I feel very privileged. Every time I pulled on the English shirt, I tried my best to be as good as I could be. I had the best 20 years playing cricket. I was very lucky to stay injury-free, meet some great people, share some great highs, and some great lows, which I think are important as well, and make memories which I'll never forget," he said to the ICC.
The trio of De Villiers, Cook, and Neetu became the 113-115th inductees into the Hall of Fame since its launch to celebrate cricketing legends in 2009.