New Zealand Cricket Announces First Batch of Hall of Fame Inductees

New Zealand Cricket has revealed the first batch of players inducted into its Hall of Fame to recognize the contributions of the nation's cricketing legends. The inaugural class includes some of the most iconic figures in the sport's history, such as one of the most successful women in World Cup history, the first male cricketer to take 400 Test wickets, and the player who holds the record for the fastest Test century.

The Hall of Fame was officially launched at the New Zealand Cricket Museum in Wellington last night by New Zealand Cricket President Leslie Murdock. The inaugural inductees' careers span from 1947 to 2016.

The 11 players inducted into the Hall of Fame's first XI are Bert Sutcliffe, John Reid, Jackie Lord, Trish McKelvey, Glenn Turner, Sir Richard Hadlee, Debbie Hockley, Martin Crowe, Emily Drum, Daniel Vettori, and Brendan McCullum. A special exhibition has been set up to honor them, where a digital touchscreen displays video biographies of their careers.

To be eligible for induction, players must have represented New Zealand and must have been retired for at least five years. The selection criteria include performance, leadership, and the impact the player had on the team.

New Zealand Cricket Hall of Fame First XI: Bert Sutcliffe, John Reid, Jackie Lord, Trish McKelvey, Glenn Turner, Sir Richard Hadlee, Debbie Hockley, Martin Crowe, Emily Drum, Daniel Vettori, and Brendan McCullum.