Two greats of the game to be honoured for their outstanding contribution to Australian cricket
Gilchrist, Ryder to be inducted into Hall of Fame
Former Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and former Australia captain and selector Jack Ryder will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal on January 27.
The pair will be recognised for their outstanding cricket achievements - both on and off the field - for Australia and will join illustrious company as the 40th (Ryder) and 41st (Gilchrist) inductees respectively.
“Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder made enormous contributions to Australian cricket in different ways,” Hall of Fame chairman David Crow said.
“`Gilly’ epitomised the cricketer we all loved to go and watch.
“He lightened up the game. We all wanted to go to see Gilly because he was such a high quality entertainer.
“He was able to combine his explosive batting with brilliant wicketkeeping.”
In 96 Tests for Australia, Gilchrist amassed 5,570 runs at an average of 47.60 and, even more remarkably, a strike rate of 81.95 – second only to former India opener Virender Sehwag among batsmen who have scored more than 2,000 runs.
Gilchrist also holds the Australian record for the most dismissals, with 416 in 191 innings (379 catches, 37 stumpings).
Making his one-day international debut in 1996, Gilchrist was just as destructive.
The free-swinging left-hander scored at near a run-a-ball to average 35.89 and was a part of Australia’s successful 1999, 2003 and 2007 ICC World Cup-winning sides – even taking home the Man of the Match award in the 2007 final.
“It’s a tremendous honour,” Gilchrist said of the induction.
“I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to join such illustrious company, childhood heroes and icons of the game from previous eras which you grow up hearing about.
“No one sets out to earn these accolades. You play the game because you love it, so acknowledgements like this go beyond the thrill of playing for Australia.”
The first Test captain of Sir Donald Bradman, Ryder played 20 Test for Australia, compiling 1394 runs at an average of 51.62 with three centuries and nine half-centuries.
Also known for his wily medium pace, Ryder collected 17 wickets at an average of 43.70.
But it wasn’t just Ryder’s on-field exploits that set him apart, with the Collingwood product also contributing to the game over more than 20 years as a national selector alongside Bradman.
“That’s where Jack excelled,” Mr Crow said. “He made a fantastic contribution to the game over seven decades at national, state and club level. He had an amazing commitment.”
As a further illustration of the esteem in which Ryder is held, the Victorian District Cricket award for the most outstanding First XI player is named in his honour.
The Hall of Fame selection panel includes former Test captains Bill Lawry, Mark Taylor and Richie Benaud as well as Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland.
Be sure to watch the 2015 Allan Border Medal night presentation LIVE on cricket.com.au.