ICC Cricket Hall of Fame: Who's in It and How Players Are Inducted
The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame — how it was created, who selects inductees, and profiles of some of the sport's most celebrated members, from Bradman to Richards.
The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame was established in 2009 to honour cricketers who made extraordinary contributions to the sport. Inductees are selected by a panel including former players, cricket historians, and cricket administrators. Membership is the sport's highest individual honour.
Origins and Selection Process
The ICC Hall of Fame was created at the ICC's centenary celebration in 2009 and originally inducted 55 legends of the game simultaneously. Since then, new inductees have been announced periodically — typically 3-5 per year. Eligibility requires: at least five years since retirement from international cricket, and the player must have made an extraordinary contribution to Test cricket. A voting panel of former players and cricket historians makes the selection.
Notable Hall of Fame Inductees
- Don Bradman (Australia) — highest Test batting average (99.94); inducted in the founding class of 2009
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) — 100 international centuries; inducted 2019
- Shane Warne (Australia) — 708 Test wickets; inducted 2013
- Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) — 800 Test wickets; inducted 2014
- Viv Richards (West Indies) — greatest ODI and Test batter of his era; inducted 2009
- Imran Khan (Pakistan) — greatest Pakistani allrounder; inducted 2009
- Sunil Gavaskar (India) — first 10,000 Test runs; inducted 2009
- Ian Botham (England) — greatest English allrounder; inducted 2009
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan) — 916 international wickets; inducted 2009
- MS Dhoni (India) — inducted 2024, the first year he was eligible after retirement
Women's Cricket in the Hall of Fame
Women cricketers have been inducted since the Hall's founding. Significant women's inductees include Betty Archdale (England captain 1934-35), Rachael Heyhoe Flint (pioneering England batter and campaigner), Belinda Clark (first woman to score an ODI double century, inducted 2011), and Ellyse Perry (inducted 2023 despite still being active — a rare exception for a player who had already established an extraordinary career). The women's game is increasingly well-represented as its history is better documented.
Frequently asked questions
When was the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame established?
The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame was established in 2009 at the ICC's centenary celebration, initially inducting 55 legends of the sport simultaneously.
How are players inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame?
A voting panel of former players and cricket historians selects inductees. Players must be retired from international cricket for at least five years and must have made an extraordinary contribution to Test cricket.
Can women cricketers be inducted?
Yes. Women's cricket has been represented in the Hall of Fame since its founding, with inductees including Belinda Clark, Rachael Heyhoe Flint, and Ellyse Perry.