 "Neetu David, Alastair Cook and AB de Villiers have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Image: BCCI / AP/ Reuters")
The ICC announced three new additions to the ICC Hall of Fame on Wednesday, with England great Alastair Cook, India legend Neetu David and dynamic South African batter AB de Villiers becoming the latest inductees. Neetu David became the second Indian to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, after the legendary Diana Edulji in 2023.
Neetu David
A prolific spinner with more than 100 appearances for her country, David is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in women’s ODI cricket with 141 scalps. She also became the first Indian woman to take 100 ODI wickets.
“It is truly an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, something that I consider to be the highest recognition available to anyone who puts on their national team jersey. This comes after a lifetime of dedication to this great sport and it caps a very special journey for me to get to this point," she told the ICC after her induction into the Hall of Fame.
Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook, known for his batting technique, focus and patience, enjoyed an international career that spanned for more than 12 years. He played a crucial role in helping England clinch the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia, as well as clinching a famous Test series win over India in 2012-13. Cook amassed 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35 in Tests, 3,204 runs at an average of 36.40 in ODIs and 61 runs at an average of 15.25 in T20Is. “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," Cook said.
“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," Cook said on his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame.
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More ShortsAB de Villiers
South Africa’s AB de Villiers is widely regarded as one of the most innovative players in modern cricket thanks to his ability to hit it out of the park. He has scored more than 20,000 runs in international cricket across all three formats, and was even impeccable as a fielder. He also holds the record of hitting the fastest-ever men’s ODI century and also winning multiple ICC ODI Player of the Year awards. He was also selected in the ICC Test Team of the Year on several occasions.
“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,” de Villiers said.
“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."
“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," he concluded.