Taylor, Walters join Hall of Fame

Mark Taylor and Doug Walters will become the latest inductees into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal night in Melbourne on Monday. Taylor, who captained Australia in 50 Tests for 26 victories, and the middle-order star of the 1970s, Walters, will be the 33rd and 34th men added to the group, which began in 1996 with 10 inductees.

"This year's inductees are two Australian cricketing icons who both originated from country New South Wales and who in their own distinctive way, have had an enormous impact on Australian cricket," Bob Lloyd, the chairman of the selection panel, said. "Both have outstanding playing records; Mark with over 7500 runs as an opening batsman, brilliant slips fieldsman and one of Australia's greatest captains and Doug as an exciting and entertaining batsman who averaged 48.26 over his 74 Tests.

"Averages in excess of 50 are quite common now but up until the time Doug retired there were only two batsmen in Australian cricket who averaged more than 50. Off the field, Mark continues his involvement in cricket at the highest level as a Cricket Australia board member and as a Channel Nine commentator.

"Doug chose a different path post cricket and he has been one of Australia's most popular entertainers on the speaking circuit over many years. There are many thousands of sports loving Australians who've enjoyed listening and laughing with Doug at one of the hundreds of functions he has attended in all parts of Australia."

Hall of Fame inductees Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall, Dennis Lillee, Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey, Allan Border, Bill Woodfull, Arthur Morris, Stan McCabe, Greg Chappell, Lindsay Hassett, Ian Chappell, Hugh Trumble, Alan Davidson, Clem Hill, Rod Marsh, Monty Noble, Bob Simpson, Charles Macartney, Richie Benaud, George Giffen, Ian Healy, Steve Waugh, Bill Lawry, Graham McKenzie, Mark Taylor, Doug Walters.