NSW celebrates Brett Lee’s Hall of Fame honour

Lee was formally inducted on Sunday, 28 December, by the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee in partnership with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA). 

One of the most electrifying fast bowlers of his generation, Lee represented the NSW Blues between 1997 and 2010, forging an outstanding domestic and international career. He was recognised as a Cricket NSW Life Member in 2019 and was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame earlier this year. 

Lee becomes the 31st NSW player to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, further cementing the state’s rich contribution to the game’s history. 

Across an illustrious international career, Lee claimed 210 wickets in 76 Test matches, alongside 380 wickets in 221 One Day Internationals. He also played 25 T20 Internationals, taking 28 wickets, and was a key figure during Australia’s era of sustained success. 

His accolades include being named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2006 and winning the Allan Border Medal in 2008, while playing a pivotal role in multiple Ashes campaigns and securing three ICC Cricket World Cup titles. 

At domestic level, Lee’s impact was equally significant. He took 152 wickets in 52 matches for NSW, and featured in 36 matches for the Sydney Sixers, claiming 35 wickets in the Big Bash League. 

Lee Germon, Cricket NSW CEO said: 
 
"Brett is not only one of the most exciting fast bowlers Australia has ever produced, but he is also a remarkable ambassador for the game.  
 
“From his debut with the NSW Blues through to his extraordinary international career, Brett consistently showcased skill, determination and professionalism.  

“His induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is a testament to his impact on cricket in NSW and across the nation, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with him. 

“This honour is richly deserved, and on behalf of everyone in the NSW cricket community, I congratulate him wholeheartedly.” 

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, Michael Hussey, Lyn Larson and Christina Matthews 
Inducted 2025 – Michael Bevan and Brett Lee  

*Players who have played for NSW in bold