Melbourne: The catch cry of 'it's all happening' coming out of the television screens made Bill Lawry a commentating phenomenon across the world and Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday lauded the veteran player and expert for being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
CA on Friday congratulated the former Aussie skipper, who was given the honour at a gala celebration in Melbourn on Thursday night.
While most cricket fans know him as a central figure on Channel Nine's cricket coverage, Lawry was one of Australia's finest opening batsman.
During a 10-year career that began in 1961 Lawry played 67 Tests, scoring 5234 runs at 47.17, with 13 centuries and a highest score of 210.
The tall and angular left hander formed one of Australia's most famous partnerships with Bob Simpson before taking over the captaincy from his fellow opener. Fittingly Simpson was the presenter at last night's induction.
While sometimes criticized for his slow scoring, fans saw a different side of Lawry when Nine became cricket broadcaster during the late '70s.
Proud of his humble beginnings as a plumber from Melbourne's northern suburbs Lawry, 77, has maintained a lifelong affection for his district club Northcote, where he began as an 11-year-old.
CA Chief Executive James Sutherland praised Lawry for his enormous and ongoing contribution to Australian cricket.
"Bill was one of the finest opening batsmen the game has seen and is part of an elite group who had the privilege of captaining his country," Sutherland said.
