Five prominent members of the NSW Cricket community were honoured last night when they were awarded life membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground at a special function held on the SCG field of play and in front of the heritage Members and Ladies pavilions.
Former Test greats Belinda Clark AO, Glenn McGrath AM, Mark Taylor AO and Steve Waugh AO were joined by Cricket NSW Vice Patron, Basil Sellers AM, in the group of 12 newly announced SCG life members that grew the ranks honoured with that title from 33 to 45.
All 12 new inductees attended and were presented their life membership badges by existing life members including sprint legend Marlene Mathews, rugby league great Ron Coote and triple international Michael Cleary. Earlier in the night, they were greeted by NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper and Venues NSW chairman David Gallop and CEO Kerrie Mather.
Life membership is the highest individual honour at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It can be awarded sportspeople, administrators, officials or other contributors to the SCG precinct, and for outstanding career achievement.
Three of Australia’s greatest cricket captains in Clark, Taylor and Waugh were recognised for feats on the field and significant ongoing contributions off it. Fast bowler McGrath was also honoured as much for his career as for the McGrath Foundation’s partnership with Sydney’s New Year’s Test that continues to help families all around Australia.
Sellers, Australian sport’s most generous man, was recognised for his support of sport and the arts, particularly cricket, the Sydney Swans and the sculpture project that carries his name in the SCG precinct.
Cricket NSW CEO, Lee Germon, congratulated Clark, McGrath, Taylor, Waugh and Mr Sellers.
“We’d like to offer a huge mark of respect and extend our heartiest congratulations to Belinda, Glenn, Mark, Steve and Mr Sellers for what is a well-deserved recognition of their contributions to the history of the Sydney Cricket Ground and the sport of cricket more broadly,” Germon said.
“The cricketers already holding life membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground are some of the biggest names in the sport’s history and all five of the new inductees sit comfortably right alongside them.
“We’d also like to thank all of those involved in selecting this year’s group of life members, who are all so deserving.”
The 2023 group induction is the third, following those in 2000 and in 2008. In 2000, some of Australian sport’s greatest ever were inducted including cricketers Sir Donald Bradman AC, Richie Benaud OBE, Doug Walters MBE and Neil Harvey MBE. Other cricketers bestowed the honour include Arthur Morris MBE, Bill Brown OAM, Alan Davidson AM MBE, Keith Miller MBE, Norm O’Neill OAM and Bob Simpson AM.
– Cricket NSW