New Zealand’s finest men’s and women’s cricketers are to be honoured in a Hall of Fame to be launched on the eve of the second Test against England at the Cello Basin Reserve.
A joint venture between New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA), and the New Zealand Cricket Museum (NZCM), the Hall of Fame will be launched with an inaugural induction of 11 former internationals dubbed the “First Eleven”, with additional members to be recognised annually.
A Hall of Fame exhibit, featuring near life-size photographs of each inductee along with video and biographical content displayed on a digital touch-screen, will be formally opened at the NZCM on the evening of Thursday, December 5, in front of inductees and the families of those unable to attend.
The “First Eleven” will be presented to the Basin Reserve crowd during the lunch break of the first day of the second Tegel Test.
Chosen by a panel of historians and statisticians, the foundation inductees were selected on the basis of their international playing records, leadership, and influence; the only binding criteria being that they must have played for New Zealand and have been retired for at least five years.
The members of the “First Eleven” span a time from the Second World War to the current era.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the Hall of Fame initiative was a tripartite concept between NZC, the NZCPA, and the NZCM with a purpose of keeping alive the stories and heroics of our most famous players.
“We’re very grateful for the goodwill and collaboration shared between the three parties to make this possible,” said Weenink.
“We’re all working very hard to ensure the history and memories of our greatest players are immortalised, so young players growing up today and tomorrow better understand their identity and where they’ve come from.”
Weenink confirmed that in future years, additional inductees will be chosen by a voting academy including former players.
“I’m expecting some lively debate on who should be there and who shouldn’t,” he said. “The beauty of this is that it’s subjective, no-one’s right or wrong – the ongoing discussions and kōrero are just as important.”
Chair of the New Zealand Cricket Museum Trust Rochelle Roddick said the museum was delighted to host the Hall of Fame and celebrate New Zealand’s cricketing heritage.
“We’re expecting an influx of visitors to the museum during the second Test match against England”, said Roddick.
“The Hall of Fame display will nicely complement a variety of taonga showcasing New Zealand’s diverse cricket history.”
NB: The NZCM is located inside the Old Pavilion Stand at the Cello Basin Reserve and will be open during the Test match.
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Name of Author: New Zealand Cricket
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
