The incorrect classification of three New Zealand cricket superstars as Australians in the ICC’s (International Cricket Council) Hall of Fame entries has caused controversy.
Martin Crowe, who was admitted in 2015 and is remembered for retaining New Zealand’s record-breaking 299 Test score for more than 20 years, is one of them. The other two, Sir Richard Hadlee (inducted in 2009) and Debbie Hockley (inducted in 2014), were mistakenly identified as citizens of Australia. Interestingly, there were no players listed in the drop-down menu’s New Zealand area. When you scroll down, you’ll see an Australian flag with Crowe’s and two other names.
For thirteen years, Martin Crowe, arguably the best batsman in New Zealand, was the captain of the Black Caps. In the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup, Crowe’s player bio stated, “He led the side to a semifinal appearance. His 299 was the highest Test score by a Kiwi in over a decade.”
Concerns have been raised regarding how a glaring inaccuracy like this could be on a list that is maintained by the world cricket governing body based on Crowe’s bio. The lack of a separate section for New Zealand on the list is particularly confusing, considering that the country has three representatives in the Hall of Fame.
Hadlee’s profile, meanwhile, makes no mention of his knighthood and misidentifies him as Australian in the headline even though it acknowledges his New Zealand identity beneath it. Hockley’s bio, on the other hand, made reference to her past as a cricket player from New Zealand.
According to Hadlee’s profile, “For 17 years, Richard Hadlee led New Zealand’s attack as one of the all-time great fast bowlers.” He concluded with 431 Test wickets at an incredible average of 22.29, including 36 5-wicket hauls, making him the first bowler to exceed 400 Test wickets.
“A giant in New Zealand women’s cricket, Debbie Hockley had a prolific international career,” it says in reference to hockey. She averaged 52.04 runs in tests (1,301 runs), and 41.89 runs in one-day internationals (4,064 runs) in ODIs.
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