Raelee Thompson inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

Thompson joins current Australian coach Justin Langer as the inductees for 2022.

Thompson grew up in Shepparton and represented Victoria on 45 occasions before serving as a selector for many years.

A fast bowler, Thompson took 57 wickets in 16 Tests and 24 wickets in 23 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1972 and 1985, captaining the team four times.

Thompson remains the oldest player – male or female – to take a maiden five-wicket haul in Test matches at 39 years and 175 days of age.

Cricket Victoria Chair Dr David Maddocks congratulated Thompson on her induction.

“It’s hard to overstate the impact Raelee has had on Australian and Victorian cricket – both in her success as a player and her contribution as a selector and administrator,” Dr Maddocks said.

“Raelee has had a pioneering influence on cricket – particularly in the progress and growth of the women’s game. She was among a group of trailblazers who forged the course for women’s cricket to the success, growth and popularity we see today. Raelee is a very worthy inductee to Australian Cricket’s Hall of Fame and on behalf of Victorian cricket, we congratulate her on this honour.”

In Thompson’s final Test match in Bendigo in 1985, she led the Australians to reclaim the Women’s Ashes trophy after a 30-year hiatus.

Thompson has continued mentoring future generations of female cricketers at her home club, Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club, where she is also a life member.

In further honours news, Cricket Victoria would also like to congratulate former Chief Executive and current National Selector Tony Dodemaide who received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to sports administration and cricket.