Norm O’Neill, Greg Matthews and Amy Hudson will tomorrow night be inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame at the Steve Waugh Medal.
All three have made a tremendous impact for both their state and country during their careers.
Norm O’Neill, who was born in 1937, was renowned as one of the greatest stroke-makers Australia has produced. In an inspirational career, he played 70 First Class matches for New South Wales, scoring over 5000 runs at the brilliant average of 52.61.
His performances for Australia were equally impressive. Playing in 42 Test matches he averaged 45.55, with six centuries, including 181 in the famous tied Test against the West Indies in 1960-61.
Bill O’Reilly called him ‘a second Bradman’, while Wally Hammond described him as the most brilliant ‘post-war’ batsman.
Greg Matthews is one of the most loved New South Wales cricketers of all time.
Holder of the record for most First Class matches for the State and most First Class wickets for the Blues, ‘Mo’ scored over 6000 runs in his 135 appearances, in addition to an amazing 417 wickets, that included 20 five wicket hauls and four ‘Ten fors’.
That puts him next to Richie Benaud as the only Blues to have over 4000 runs and 300 wickets for the State.
In a distinguished 33 Test career for Australia, he took 61 wickets and averaged 41.08 with the bat, including 4 centuries.
The unheralded Amy Hudson was a young star for New South Wales.
She made her debut for the State only 3 days after her 16th birthday and took four wickets in the match! Her performances for her home State were outstanding and included the incredible figures of 8 for 7 against South Australia in 1938-39 and 118 not out eleven years later in 1949-50.
Amy made her Australian debut aged 18 and ended up playing in nine Tests. She was the only Australian to go on both of the first two tours abroad in 1937 and 1951, in a career that was interrupted by the 2nd World War.
PLAYER BIOS
The Late Norm O’Neill, OAM
For New South Wales
Debuted for NSW in 1955-56 season and played 70 First class matches for the State
Scored 5419 runs at 52.61, with 18 centuries
Described by Bill O’Reilly as ‘a second Bradman’
For Australia
Played 42 Test matches, scoring 2779 runs at 45.55
Had a highest score of 181 versus the West Indies in the Tied Test in 1960-61
Wally Hammond described him as the ‘most brilliant of all post-war batsmen’
Greg Matthews
For New South Wales
Has played more First Class matches (135) and taken more First Class wickets (417) than any other New South Wales player in history
Along with Richie Benaud the only player to have scored 4000 runs and taken 300 wickets
Along with Clem Hill the only player to have scored 100 runs and taken 10 wickets in a Shield match for New South Wales
For Australia
Played 33 Test matches taking 61 wickets at 48.22
Averaged 41.08 with the bat with four centuries
Took 10 wickets in the famous Tied Test in India in 1986
The Late Amy Hudson
For New South Wales
Made her debut for New South Wales three days after her 16th birthday
Had the amazing figures of 8-7 versus Queensland in 1938-39
After the 2nd World War interrupted her career she scored 118 not out v Queensland in 1949-50, seventeen seasons after debuting
For Australia
Made her Test debut versus England in 1935 – aged 18
Played 9 Test matches averaging 34.69 with the bat and taking 16 wickets
Was the only woman to go on the first two tours of England in 1937 and 1951
