ODI great Michael Bevan inducted into Australia's Hall of Fame after rule tweak

A rule had to be tweaked to make sure that Michael Bevan, one of Australia’s greatest ODI batters, could be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the year 2024-25. 

Talking about the tweak in the rule, Peter King, chairman of the Australian Hall of Fame said, “It was Michael's exceptional playing record and public standing that pushed the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee to review its selection criteria. 

"To ensure players who excelled in one-day or Twenty20 Internationals were equally recognised as those who shone in the Test format. Michael without a doubt revolutionised white-ball cricket and became a household name for his masterful batting, amazing athleticism and ability to chase down runs.”

Bevan had a very modest Test career, playing only 18 Tests and averaging just 29 with the bat, but was brilliant in ODIs and first-class cricket. In 50-over cricket, the left-handed chase master made 6912 runs at an average of 53.58 and is considered one of the greatest finishers in the game's history. 

Meanwhile in first-class cricket, representing New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Yorkshire, Sussex, Leicestershire and Kent, the man, whose international career was cut short by a freakish injury, scored 19,147 runs at an average of 57.32 with 68 centuries and 81 half-centuries.

Bevan follows this season's previous inductees, Michael Clarke and Christina Matthews.