Former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan, widely thought to be certainly one of the best limited-overs batsmen, has been honoured with induction into Australia’s Cricket Hall of Fame.
Cricket Australia announced the news on X, acknowledging him as “the most effective finishers the sport has ever seen.” Bevan, sometimes called ‘Picasso in Pyjamas’ for his artistic approach to One-Day Internationals (ODIs), was a dominant force within the format. He amassed 6,912 runs in 232 ODIs at a powerful average of 53.58, cementing his status amongst Australia’s best one-day players.
A Profession Full of Remarkable Moments
Throughout his illustrious profession, Bevan created unforgettable moments for cricket enthusiasts. He played a vital role in Australia’s triumphs on the 1999 and 2003 ICC Cricket World Cups, delivering match-winning performances under pressure. Reflecting on his profession, Bevan expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had.
“I feel very fortunate. I got to play a sport that I loved, in some great teams, and experienced amazing moments during a golden era of Australian cricket,” he said, as quoted by cricket.com.au. He also appreciated the popularity for his unique contributions to the sport, particularly within the ODI format.
Expanded Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction
Bevan’s induction follows a recent change in Cricket Australia’s selection criteria, which now allows players to be honoured for his or her impact on cricket, whether across all formats or only one. Beyond representing Australia, Bevan had a prolific domestic profession, playing for Recent South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and several other English county teams, including Yorkshire, Sussex, Leicestershire, and Kent.
In first-class cricket, he played 237 matches, scoring 19,147 runs at an astonishing average of 57.32. His record includes 68 centuries, 81 fifties, and a highest rating of 216.
Bevan joins the esteemed ranks of this season’s other Hall of Fame inductees, former Australian captain Michael Clarke and trailblazing administrator Christina Matthews. His inclusion further solidifies his legacy as certainly one of the best cricketers to have ever represented Australia.
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