Lyn Larsen to be inducted in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

Western Australian Michael Hussey was also announced as an inductee, with Hussey and Larsen the 62nd and 63rd inductees into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, established in 1996. 

Larsen was a long-term captain of the NSW and Australian Women’s teams and an outstanding all-rounder representing Australia in Test and limited overs cricket with distinction between 1984 and 1994. 

She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1999 and the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010. 

Larsen played 15 Tests making 410 runs at 41 and including three fifties with a top score of 86 and took 26 wickets at 18.73 with best figures of 4/33. 

She played 49 One Day Internationals making 426 runs at 20.28 including two fifties with a top score of 62 and 24 wickets at 31.79 with best figures of 3/19. 

From Lismore in northern NSW, Larsen represented NSW County as a 14-year-old and made her NSW debut in 1980 aged 17. In 1983/84, she was selected to tour India where she made her Test debut. 

Appointed Australian captain in 1987 at just 22, Larsen compiled an outstanding record with Australia winning five and drawing five Test matches and winning 29 of the 43 One Day Internationals played under her leadership including the 1988 World Cup.

As skipper, Larsen was renowned for her astute tactics and for her leadership which had a profound influence both on teammates and more broadly on the improved visibility of women’s cricket. 

During her captaincy, Larsen served as an Australian selector for three years and upon her retirement from international cricket was team manager of the Australian Youth Team and held roles in coaching and administration including as a member of the SCG Trust. 

In 2020 she was honoured with the AM (Order of Australia) for significant services to cricket as a player, selector, manager and coach at the elite level.

Peter King, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chair, said: 

“Every inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is recognised for their invaluable contribution to the sport, defined by standout performances and outstanding achievements. 

“Lyn’s induction is reflective of her momentous achievements during what was an esteemed career spanning more than a decade, including her selection as Australian captain when she was just 22 years old. 

“Lyn’s imprint on the game has been remarkable, and she has played an instrumental role in boosting the recognition of women’s cricket with one defining highlight being the 1988 World Cup final victory at the MCG.” 

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said: 

“It is pleasing to see two greats of our game receive such deserved recognition. Michael and Lyn are wonderful contributors to Australian Cricket and sit comfortably alongside their fellow Hall of Fame members. 

“Not only was Lyn a tremendous all-rounder, her exceptional leadership guided the Australian Women’s team throughout a period of enormous success and set a wonderful example for all those who have followed.” 

Todd Greenberg, Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO said: 

"Through the 1980s and 90s, Lyn Larsen had a transformative impact on Australian women’s cricket, leading by example to help establish Australia as a dominant force in the women’s game – a legacy that endures today. 

"Her impact on Australian cricket extended to her role as an Australian selector and manager of the Australian Youth Team, and continues to be a revered figure in her hometown of Lismore and she is a wonderful addition to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. 

About the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was first proposed by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1995.

With the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria, the Hall of Fame was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard MP in 1996.

The selection philosophy for the hall of fame focuses on the players’ status as sporting legends in addition to their outstanding statistical records.

The selection panel is made up of representatives from all areas of cricket. Chaired by ACHOF Chair Peter King, three former players are joined by the respective CEOs of Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, along with two representatives from the media.

All inductees must have been retired from international cricket for a minimum of five years to be eligible for selection.

An inaugural group of ten players were inducted in 1996, and a further 53 players have been welcomed since:

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Inducted 1996 - Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee

Inducted 2000 - Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey and Allan Border
Inducted 2001 - Bill Woodfull and Arthur Morris 
Inducted 2002 - Stan McCabe and Greg Chappell 
Inducted 2003 - Lindsay Hassett and Ian Chappell 
Inducted 2004 - Hugh Trumble and Alan Davidson 
Inducted 2005 - Clem Hill and Rod Marsh 
Inducted 2006 - Monty Noble and Bob Simpson 
Inducted 2007 - Charles Macartney and Richie Benaud 
Inducted 2008 - George Giffen and Ian Healy 
Inducted 2009 - Steve Waugh 
Inducted 2010 - Bill Lawry and Graham McKenzie 
Inducted 2011 - Mark Taylor and Doug Walters 
Inducted 2012 - Shane Warne 
Inducted 2013 - Charlie Turner and Glenn McGrath 
Inducted 2014 - Mark Waugh and Belinda Clark 
Inducted 2015 - Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder 
Inducted 2016 - Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout 
Inducted 2017 - David Boon, Matthew Hayden and Betty Wilson 
Inducted 2018 - Norm O’Neill, Ricky Ponting and Karen Rolton 
Inducted 2019 - Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Dean Jones and Billy Murdoch 
Inducted 2020 - Sharon Tredrea and Craig McDermott 
Inducted 2021 - Johnny Mullagh, Merv Hughes and Lisa Sthalekar 
Inducted 2022 – Justin Langer and Raelee Thompson 
Inducted 2023 – Marg Jennings and Ian Redpath 

Inducted 2024 – Michael Hussey and Lyn Larsen 
  
SELECTION PANEL
ACHOF Chair Peter King 
Former Test captain Belinda Clark 
Former Test captain Mark Taylor 
Former Test batsman and former MCC President Paul Sheahan 
Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg 
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley 
Media representatives Ben Horne and Greg Baum