Cricket NSW has today congratulated Michael Clarke AO and Christina Matthews AM on becoming the 64th and 65th members of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee, together with Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) inducted former Australian captain and NSW Men’s Team player Clarke last week, before Matthews, a past Australian vice-captain and NSW Women’s Team player, was afforded the honour today.
Clarke played for the NSW Blues between 1999/00 and 2013/14 and was made a life member in 2020, while Matthews represented the NSW Breakers between 1991/92 and 1994/95, before retiring.
The pair become the 28th and 29th former NSW players to become members of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Lee Germon, Cricket NSW CEO said:
“I’m delighted that Michael and Christina have been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame as recognition for their achievements in the sport.
“Michael’s talent, temperament and leadership, whether that be for NSW or Australia, are well documented, while Chrisitina’s magnificent on-field success is only surpassed by her significant achievements off the field.
“On behalf of everyone in the NSW cricket community, I would like to thank Michael and Christina for their enormous contributions to cricket and congratulate them on this wonderful recognition.”
About the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was first proposed by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1995.
With the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria, the Hall of Fame was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard MP in 1996.
The selection philosophy for the hall of fame focuses on the players’ status as sporting legends in addition to their outstanding statistical records.
The selection panel is made up of representatives from all areas of cricket. Chaired by former Victorian cricketer and Melbourne Cricket Club representative Peter King, four Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inducted players are joined by the respective CEOs of Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, along with two representatives from the media.
All inductees must have been retired from international cricket for a minimum of five years to be eligible for selection.
An inaugural group of ten players were inducted in 1996, and a further 51 players have been welcomed since:
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Inducted 1996 - Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee
Inducted 2000 - Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey and Allan Border
Inducted 2001 - Bill Woodfull and Arthur Morris
Inducted 2002 - Stan McCabe and Greg Chappell
Inducted 2003 - Lindsay Hassett and Ian Chappell
Inducted 2004 - Hugh Trumble and Alan Davidson
Inducted 2005 - Clem Hill and Rod Marsh
Inducted 2006 - Monty Noble and Bob Simpson
Inducted 2007 - Charles Macartney and Richie Benaud
Inducted 2008 - George Giffen and Ian Healy
Inducted 2009 - Steve Waugh
Inducted 2010 - Bill Lawry and Graham McKenzie
Inducted 2011 - Mark Taylor and Doug Walters
Inducted 2012 - Shane Warne
Inducted 2013 - Charlie Turner and Glenn McGrath
Inducted 2014 - Mark Waugh and Belinda Clark
Inducted 2015 - Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder
Inducted 2016 - Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout
Inducted 2017 - David Boon, Matthew Hayden and Betty Wilson
Inducted 2018 - Norm O’Neill, Ricky Ponting and Karen Rolton
Inducted 2019 - Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Dean Jones and Billy Murdoch
Inducted 2020 - Sharon Tredrea and Craig McDermott
Inducted 2021 - Johnny Mullagh, Merv Hughes and Lisa Sthalekar
Inducted 2022 – Justin Langer and Raelee Thompson
Inducted 2023 – Marg Jennings and Ian Redpath
Inducted 2024 – Michael Clarke and Christina Matthews
*Players who have played for NSW in bold
SELECTION PANEL as at December 2024
Chair, former Victorian player and Melbourne Cricket Club representative Peter King
Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley
2002 ACHOF inductee Greg Chappell
2014 ACHOF inductee Belinda Clark
2021 ACHOF inductee Lisa Sthalekar
2011 ACHOF inductee Mark Taylor
Journalist Greg Baum
Journalist Ben Horne