Karen Rolton inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
Former Australia women’s captain Karen Rolton was today inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at a ceremony during the tea break on the opening day of the Third Test between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide.
Rolton was presented with a personalised cap by Mr Richardson as she became the 81st player to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and the sixth woman to receive the accolade. Also present at the occasion was Cricket Australia Chairman David Peever.
Rolton said: “It’s with great honour that I accept this award of being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. To be acknowledged like this is something that I never expected and am truly grateful to be listed amongst some of my all-time cricketing heroes.
“Cricket has been a part of my life since I can remember. From growing up in Adelaide and playing backyard cricket with my brother to captaining my state and country. It’s been a childhood dream and one that I’m grateful for.
“I’d like to thank Cricket Australia, my team-mates over the years and most importantly my parents for supporting me playing cricket as a junior and right until the end of my career.
“Finally, thank you to the ICC for inducting me into the Hall of Fame and your ongoing support of women’s cricket.”
Mr Richardson said: “Karen had a long and successful career which saw several high points, including a century in an ICC Women’s World Cup final. She proved her class time and again with superb performances, particularly in big matches making her so well respected. She was a player women cricketers from around the world looked up to.
“With increased investment, women’s cricket has grown rapidly over the past few years but it is through the exploits and example set by players like Karen that young women and girls are inspired to take up the game. We congratulate Karen on behalf of the ICC for her successful career and for this well-deserved award.
Rolton is first of the four legendary cricketers who will be formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame this season. The other three are Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka, Australia’s Arthur Morris and England’s George Lohmann.
Full list of ICC Cricket Hall of Famers can be found here.
Rolton’s career at a glance:
· Between 1995 and 2009, she played in 14 Tests and scored 1,002 runs with two centuries, and 141 One-Day Internationals in which she scored 4,814 runs with eight centuries
· First recipient of the ICC Women’s Player of the Year award in 2006
· Member of the Australia sides that won the ICC Women’s World Cup in 1997 and 2005 and also captained the team at the 2009 pinnacle event
· Only Australian woman with more than 1,000 Test runs
· Only batter to score a century in the final of an ICC Women’s World Cup
· Her 209 not out against England at Headingley in 2001 is the highest individual score by an Australian batter