Ponting handed new career accolade

Australia legend Ricky Ponting has added another accolade to his enormous collection after he was today inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame.

Ponting joins India’s Rahul Dravid and England’s Claire Taylor as 2018 inductees into the Hall of Fame, which now holds 87 members.

Ponting is the 25th Australian to achieve the honour, entering the exclusive club behind former teammates Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh. 

The Tasmanian finished his career as Australia’s greatest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket, won three World Cups as a player and two as captain, and was at the helm when Australia whitewashed England in the 2006-07 Ashes on home soil.

"I feel deeply honoured to be recognised by the ICC in this way," Ponting said in an ICC statement.

"I loved every moment of my journey as a player and am so very proud of the team and personal achievements along the way.

"These would not have been possible without the help of so many people including my teammates, coaches and support staff that played such an integral part in my playing career. 

"I would like to especially thank my family for their constant support and direction. 

"Honours like this are just as much for them as it is for me."

Alongside Ponting as one Test cricket’s 21st Century batting titans was Dravid, known as 'The Wall' for his impenetrable defence and textbook technique.

Dravid, who follows in the footsteps of Bishan Bedi, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble and Sunil Gavaskar as the fifth Indian to be inducted, played 164 Tests, scored 36 centuries and was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2004.

"It is a matter of great honour to be named by the ICC in the Cricket Hall of Fame," Dravid said. 

"To find your name in a list of all-time greats across generations is something one only dreams of while setting out on a cricket career and the kind of recognition that would delight any player.

"I’m thankful to my near and dear ones as well as players I have played with and against, coaches and officials who have backed me over the years and helped me develop as a cricketer. 

"I would also like to thank the KSCA and the BCCI for all the support over the years and the ICC for recognizing my achievements and picking me in this group of Hall of Fame inductees."

Taylor, who retired with a batting average of more than 40 in both Test and ODI cricket, was named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2009.

That year was hugely successfulfor the wicketkeeper-batter, who was also named the player of the tournament in both the 50-over and T20 World Cups. 

Taylor is the seventh England representative in the Hall of Fame and the third English female player, joining Rachael Heyhoe-Flint and Enid Bakewell. 

"It's a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside some of the greatest names of the men's and women's game from across the world and throughout the generations, players who I looked up to during my playing career and hold in great esteem," Taylor said. 

"I would like to thank everyone who helped me achieve my dreams of success with England, particularly my parents for their support from my early days in the game, Mark Lane for his coaching wisdom, the ECB for their support of the national team, my team-mates and support staff and my colleagues at SUMS Consulting, for their flexibility and confidence that I could deliver success both on and off the field over the last five years of my international cricket career."