Kanhai, Bedser inducted into ICC Hall of Fame by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

AV Bedser, RB Kanhai

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DateLine: 7th May 2009

 

Cricketing legends Rohan Kanhai and Alec Bedser, were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame at Lord's on Thursday.

 

According to an ICC release, Kanhai's 17-year Test career for the West Indies spanned from 1957 to 1974 and in that time he scored 6,227 runs in 79 matches at an average of 47.53. He scored 28 fifties and 15 centuries, including 256 against India at Calcutta in1958.

 

The Guyanan, Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1964, also had a successful county career for Warwickshire, where he scored 1,000 runs or more in a season no fewer than 10 times, including 1,894 runs at an average of 57.39 in 1970.

 

At 90 years of age, Bedser is the oldest surviving member of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame having played his first first-class match in 1939. He is a true Surrey and England legend having played for his beloved county right up to 1960 after some 485 matches.

 

His tally of 51 Test matches for England would surely have been more but for the outbreak of World War II but once peace was restored in 1945, Bedser made up for lost time and quickly became a pillar of England's bowling attack.

 

Bedser made his Test debut at Lord's in 1946 and immediately made a big impression taking 11-145 in the match against India, the first of five times he would take 10 wickets or more in a Test.

 

He took 236 Test wickets at an average of 24.89 with his right-arm medium-fast bowling.

 

Kanhai and Bedser were presented with their ICC Hall of Fame caps by ICC President David Morgan in the presence of the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke, West Indies Cricket Board chairman Dr Julian Hunte and the secretary and chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club, Keith Bradshaw.

 

Bedser said: "It is a great honour to be included in such a presentation from the ICC, particularly as it's a worldwide accolade. It is also very pleasing to be, alongside Rohan, one of the first 55 cricketers inducted into the Hall of Fame."

 

Kanhai added: "I am honoured to be part of the Cricket Hall of Fame and especially so in this centenary year of the ICC.