NSW Cricket Legends
The following players have been identified as legends of the game in NSW and some of our current players who will no doubt be regarded as legends when their careers come to an end. To purchase your favourite NSW Cricket Legend click HERE.
Labelled as tenacity personified, Waugh was one of the greatest leaders NSW and Australian Cricket has ever produced. He played the equal-most Tests for Australia with 168, captaining on 57 occasions and 325 ODI’s, 106 of those as captain. Waugh sits second all-time in runs scored for Australia in Tests, boasting 32 centuries and is fifth in ODI runs scored. Waugh played for NSW in 93 first-class matches, scoring 22 centuries and was the inaugural NSW Blues player of the year, later renamed to the Steve Waugh medallist. Waugh is a member of the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame (2008), Australian Cricket Hall of fame (2009), ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2010) and is also an Australian of the Year award winner (2004).
Initially selected for Australia as a leg-spinner and touted as our next Shane Warne, Smith has grown into arguably the world's best batsmen and garners comparisons to Bradman due to his distinctively high batting average. Having served as both captain for NSW and Australia, Smith’s batting dominance boasts 28 Test hundreds from his 87 matches, at an average of 60 to go with 12 ODI hundreds at 44. Named ICC Men’s Test Player of the Decade for 2011-2020 and a 3-time Allan Border medallist, Smith isn’t finished yet and we hope he has plenty of runs left to score for NSW and Australia.
An Australian icon, not only for his cricketing feats, but also his magnificent broadcasting career. The first player from any country to score 2000 runs and take 200 wickets in Tests. Benaud finished his Test career having played 63 matches, taking 248 wickets and scoring 2201 runs. Benaud captained both NSW and Australia, was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2007 NSW Cricket Hall of Fame (2008), ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009) and even won a TV Week Logie in 1999. Benaud’s legacy lives on through “The Ritchies” and is celebrated on Day 2 of every Test in Australia, with a section of the crowd donning Benaud’s iconic beige suit jackets and microphones.
Widely regarded as the greatest fast bowler of his era and one of the greatest of all time. From his 61 Tests, he claimed 228 wickets, amassed a remarkable 794 wickets from his 228 First-Class matches. A deserving member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (2006), NSW Cricket Hall of Fame (2008) and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009). His classical and artistic side-on bowling action was idolised and replicated by aspiring and first-class Australian bowlers.
Cummins made his Test debut at the age of just 18 before a setback with injuries hampered his early years as an Australian Cricketer. Fast-forward to now, the 47th and current, Australian Test captain is the only fast bowler in our history to take on the captaincy in a full-time capacity. Cummins is rated as the number one bowler in the world according to ICC Test rankings. He has now played 43 Tests, taking 199 wickets at 21, as well as scoring 2 half-centuries, he has played 73 ODI’s and has taken 119 wickets. Cummins has plenty of cricket left in his career and will no doubt continue to lead Australia’s pace attack and team for years to come.
A former captain of both NSW and Australia, Clarke is considered as one of the all-time greats to play for both. Clarke led Australia through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of several stars and managed to complete an Ashes whitewash in 2013/14 and a World Cup victory on home soil in 2015. Clarke is a four-time Allan Border medallist, equal most won and currently sits fourth on the all-time test runs scored list for Australia. Two of Clarke’s most notable contributions both came at the SCG against India, his incredible 329* in 2012 and his heroics with the ball taking three wickets in over to record a memorable win in 2008.
Considered the original “finisher”, Bevan’s limited overs heroics for Australia were called upon numerous times throughout his 232 One-Day matches. Bevan also played 18 Test Matches for Australia during his career. Bevan played 105 First-Class games for NSW and sits atop the most runs with 8174 and most centuries (32). Bevan was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2016 and now has an award named in his honour, awarded annually to the best NSW One-Day player of the year.
One half of the most famous set of brothers to play for Australia, Mark represented Australia in 128 Tests and 244 ODIs, scoring 20 and 18 centuries in each format respectively. Renowned for his elegant stroke play and exceptional fielding, Waugh was an entertainer well before the T20 revolution. Representing NSW in 108 First Class matches, he sits second all-time in both runs and catches, to go along with his 25 centuries, whilst having also played for NSW in limited overs matches on 77 occasions, with three centuries to his name. He was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014.
Taylor was a masterful opening batsman and slip fielder and captain for both NSW and Australia. The first player to play 100 Tests and 100 First Class matches for NSW, Taylor was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2009, Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2002), and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003. Taylor’s career has extended into the media as a long serving member of the famous Channel 9 commentary team and continues his sports punditry today.
Born in Pune, India, a right-handed batter and right arm off-spin bowler, Sthalekar was the first player from any nation to accrue 1000 runs and 100 wickets in ODI’s. Sthalekar was twice a member of both ODI and T20I World Cup winning teams, also going along with winning the WNCL with the NSW Breakers 14 times, captaining five of those. A four-time NSW Belinda Clark medallist, Sthalekar was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame and the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2020. She now works as commentator covering cricket around the globe.
A right-handed batter and occasional bowler, Keightley played 85 ODI’s and nine Tests for Australia to go along with 91 matches for NSW in the WNCL. Keightley holds the highest maiden ODI century record for a female with a score of 156* and has four to her name in total in that format. Keightley was the Belinda Clark medallist in 2003/04 and was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017. Keightley has also forged a successful coaching career, leading both domestically and internationally at home and abroad.
A member of the “Invincibles” and at the time of his retirement, was statistically the best all-rounder in cricket history. From his 55 Tests, he amassed 2958 runs at 36 with 7 hundreds and 170 wickets at 22. Miller was one of the ten inaugural inductees into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 1996, an inaugural inductee into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 and the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2022. A former NSW captain and deserved NSW cricketing legend.
The unorthodox and unique, Greg Matthews was an off-spin bowler and left-handed batsmen who played for both NSW and Australia. Matthews sits 8th on the all-time Sheffield Shield wicket takers list with 363, and only second for NSW behind Geoff Lawson on 367. Matthews also sits second on the list of Sheffield Shield matches played for NSW with 116, behind Michael Bevan’s 118. At Test level, Matthews played 33 matches, snaring 61 wickets and scoring four hundreds with an impressive average of 41. His most memorable match came in the 1986 Tied test in Madras against India, taking ten wickets, including the final wicket of the match.
Glenn “Pigeon” McGrath is remembered for his unerring accuracy and subtle seam movement that heaped relentless pressure onto opposition batsmen. McGrath sits second all-time in Test Wickets taken by an Australian, only behind the late Shane Warne. His 563 wickets came from 124 Tests, to go along with this 381 ODI wickets from 250 matches. Named in the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2011 and Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. McGrath is also applauded for his work with the McGrath Foundation, established with his late wife, Jane, in 2002, which raises funds for Breast Care Nurses around the country, and is supported through the annual “Pink Test” at the SCG.
Lawson was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014 and holds the record for most wickets taken for NSW in the Sheffield Shield with 367. Lawson played 46 Test matches and 79 ODI’s for Australia, whilst also Captaining NSW from 1988-1992. A highly respected and regarded cricketer, Lawson famously coined the phrase “NSW is the greatest cricketing state, province, territory in the world” something players still use to this day!
The youngest Australian to play international cricket, debuting at the age of 16 and now widely regarded as one of the greatest ever female players. A genuine all-rounder, whose feats have inspired a generation of young boys and girls to take up the game. In a career still going, Perry has already won two ODI World Cups, five T20 World Cups, 11 WNCL titles and a pair of WBBL Titles. On a personal level, she has several honours to her name, notably named ICC Women’s ODI and T20 Cricketer of the Decade 2011-2020. Perry is by no means done yet and we look forward to watching her continue to dominate for years to come.
An attacking batsmen and useful part-time bowler, Walters played 74 Tests for Australia yielding 15 hundreds and 49 wickets. For NSW, Walters played 91 matches scoring 5602 runs and taking 110 wickets throughout his career. Walters was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2012 and had a stand named after him at the SCG in 1985, this was unfortunately demolished in 2007 with stadium redevelopments, but there is now the Doug Walters Bar in the new Victor Trumper Stand. In 103 First-Class matches for NSW, he scored 19 centuries and took 119 wickets. He achieved the all-rounders double on two occasions for NSW, scoring both a hundred and taking five wickets in an innings, one of those occasions was with a double century and a 7-wicket haul.
Unanimously regarded as the greatest batsmen who ever lived and the greatest cricketer of the 20th century. Famous for his unrivalled Test match bating record, where he finished with the remarkable average of 99.94, scoring 29 centuries. Bradman was an inaugural inductee into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (1985), Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (1996), NSW Cricket Hall of Fame (2008) and was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. Playing for NSW on 41 occasions, Bradman averaged over 100 against almost every state. Post playing career, Bradman was twice Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board, his legacy will long remain through both his cricketing prowess and through the Bradman Foundation, Museum and Oval in Bowral.
Warner was the first Australian cricketer in 132 years to be selected to play for the national team in any format without any First-Class experience. It proved a masterstroke with Warner scoring 89 off 43 balls on debut and the rest is history. From his 96 Tests, he has scored 24 centuries including a mammoth 335* and has equally had remarkable success in the ODI arena, scoring 18 hundreds from 138 matches. A 3-time Allan Border Medallist and member of the ICC Test and ODI Teams of the decade, 2011-2020. Warner is arguably Australia's best-ever T20 player and continues to dominate attacks around the world.
O’Reilly played 27 Tests between 1931 and 1946, yielding 144 wickets including 11 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket performances. Regarded by Bradman as the greatest bowler that he ever faced or saw and, in his opinion, the best bowler Australia ever produced. An amazing esteem to be held in, which was backed up by being an inaugural member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (1996) and named in the Australian Cricket Board’s Team of the Century in 2000. In his 54 matches for NSW, O’Reilly amassed 325 wickets at 16.25 leading to his inclusion in the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2008.
Clark is often referred to as one of the pioneers on women’s cricket around the world and was only the second female to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2011 and the first female to join the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014. Clark is a two-time World Cup champion and won seven WNCL titles with NSW. She was a three-time WNCL player of the year, and now has the NSW female player of the year award in her name, as well as the best Australian female cricketer of the year award. Clark has also been a tremendous servant to the game away from the field, holding a number of positions within Cricket Australia since her playing retirement.
Regarded widely as the best opening batsmen to represent his country, Morris was a member of Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles” and Australia’s 24th Test captain. An elegant and attacking left-handed batsmen, Morris was named a member of the Australian Test Team of the Century in 2000, inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (2001), NSW Cricket Hall of Fame (2008) and the ICC Hall of Fame in 2016. Morris played 46 Tests, interrupted by WW2 in which he served, and was at the non-striker's end for Bradman’s unfortunate final innings in Test Cricket, where he scored 196 himself, one of his 12 Test centuries. Morris also scored 12 centuries for NSW in the Sheffield Shield from his 37 first-class matches.
An attacking wicket-keeper batter who shares a famous last name but has forged her own path of greatness for NSW, Sydney Sixers and Australia. As Healy continues to dominate attacks across the world, she has already been a part of five T20I World Cup wins, an ODI World Cup victory, 11 WNCL Titles with NSW and two WBBL titles with the Sixers. NSW Women’s captain since 2018, and current Australian Women’s Vice-Captain, we look forward to watching “Midge” at the top of the order and behind the stumps for many years yet!
Alex Blackwell the woman and the cricketer will forever be remembered as the consummate professional, admired leader and one of the greats of the game. Blackwell debuted for NSW in 2001 and played 139 matches before her retirement in 2017/18, claiming 14 WNCL and three domestic T20 titles, as well as being a 3-time Belinda Clark Medallist. Blackwell played 12 Tests, 144 ODI’s and 95 T20I’s for Australia and was involved in two ODI World Cup wins and three T20 World Cup wins. Blackwell was also the inaugural Sydney Thunder WBBL captain, to go with captaining both NSW and Australia, leading the team to the title in first ever season.
Considered one of the great all-rounders of his era, Davidson played 44 Tests for Australia, none more important than his role in the 1960 Tied Test against the West Indies, becoming the first player to score 100 runs and take 10 wickets in a Test match. Davidson also played 72 Frist Class matches for NSW, taking 273 wickets at 21.45. Davidson’s commitment to cricket went well beyond his playing days, serving as President of the NSW Cricket Association from 1970 – 2003. He was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2008 and was also inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (1988), Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (2004) and the ICC Hall of Fame (2011).
Trumper’s legacy is most notably honoured through the stand in his name at the iconic SCG, but his statistics certainly back this honour up. Playing Test match cricket from 1899 – 1912, Trumper finished with eight centuries, a record at the time. He also held the then record for the highest Test score of 214* and was the first player to score a century before lunch on the first day of a Test. Trumper plundered 15 centuries and 29 half-centuries in his 73 matches for NSW. Trumper was an inaugural member of the Australian Cricket Hall of fame (1996), inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame (2008) and ICC Hall of Fame (2009).
Renowned for his fearsome speed with the ball, Lee is one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, having starred for Australia, NSW and the Sydney Sixers. In an international career that spanned from 1999-2012, Lee took 310 wickets in his 76 Tests and a further 380 dismissals in 221 ODI’s. He also took 28 wickets in 25 T20I. He was part of Australia’s 2003 World Cup winning squad, bowling at speeds of 160km/h and taking 22 wickets across the tournament. Domestically Lee helped both NSW and the Sixers to titles.
