Betty Wilson inducted in ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Wilson is the fifth Victorian behind Neil Harvey, Keith Miller, Belinda Clark and Shane Warne to be bestowed the honour and the fourth woman in the exclusive club.

She played 11 Tests between 1947 and 1958, accumulating 862 runs, at an average of 57.4, and also claimed 68 wickets at just 11.8.

In her short Test career she notched many significant milestones, becoming the first Australian woman to hit a Test century against England, the first cricketer, male or female, to score a century and take 10 wickets in the same Test and she was also the first woman to claim a Test hat trick.
Wilson played in the Victorian 2nd XI when she was only 14 and made her senior debut when she was 16.

Wilson passed away, aged 88, on January 22, 2010, with a commemorative cap accepted by her nephew, Ken Wilson, at today’s presentation.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson commented at the presentation,

“History shows that Betty was an inspiring cricketer, one of the pioneers of women’s cricket and immensely respected because she always put cricket first. Had her debut not been delayed by World War II, I am sure she would have scored lot more runs and taken many more wickets.”

Cricket Victoria continues to honour the memory of Wilson every year with the Betty Wilson Medal presented to the Player of the Final in the Bartercard Premier Firsts competition.

Indian spinner Anil Kumble was also inducted in the Hall of Fame at the ceremony.