Fitzpatrick inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Fitzpatrick joins the most prolific batsman in history, Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa’s fastest ever bowler Allan Donald in being inducted this week.

Fitzpatrick, the eighth woman to win the award, was the fastest bowler in women’s cricket for a period of 16 years, ending her career with 180 wickets in 109 matches, a record then. She helped Australia win two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and finished with 60 wickets in 13 Tests.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney: “It is a great honour for us to announce the 2019 inductees into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Sachin, Allan and Cathryn are three of the finest players to ever grace our game and are deserved additions to the Hall of Fame. On behalf of the ICC, I would like to congratulate all three players, who enrich the list of all-time greats already members of this select club.”

Cathryn Fitzpatrick said: “To gain recognition alongside many of the games’ giants is a huge honour. I look at the list of past inductees and what stands out most is not only their outstanding talent, but that they were game changers. They took the game on and changed the way it was played.

“Looking back, I can think of many highlights, which include winning the World Cup in 1997 and 2005, but it is a tour of England in 1998 where the Women’s Ashes was conceived that stands out. Playing five ODI’s followed by three Test Matches on a tour lasting six weeks was a time that I felt I was just a cricketer and didn’t have to combine work alongside playing.

“I have had many people over the journey who have guided me as coaches, team-mates, administrators and friends and I would like to thank them all.”

Cathryn Fitzpatrick

• 13 Tests for Australia, taking 60 wickets at 19.11 apiece
• 109 ODIs, taking 180 wickets at 16.79 apiece
• Her 180 ODI wickets were a world record from her retirement in 2003 until May 2017
• Took 33 wickets in 25 ICC Women’s World Cup matches
• Won ICC Women’s World Cup with Australia in 1997 and 2005
• Coached Australia’s Women’s team from May 2012 to May 2015, winning a World Cup and two ICC WWT20 titles
• Spent a women’s record 2113 days as the number 1 ranked ODI bowler (2000-2007)
• Reached 898 points in the Women’s ODI rankings in February 2004 – the highest bowling points tally for any woman