Taylor, Walters to be included in Hall of Fame

Former captain Mark Taylor and middle-order batsman Doug Walters are set to join the elite group of cricketing greats as they will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal night in Melbourne on Monday.

The 46-year-old 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, the Australian Associated Press reported.

"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," added Llyod.

Taylor, now a noted television commentator, captained Australia from 1994 to 1999 as his team built a formidable record as the world's No 1 cricket nation.

Taylor played 104 Tests for Australia, scoring 7,525 runs at an average of 43.49 with 19 centuries. He made his Test debut against the West Indies at Sydney in January, 1989.

Walters played 74 Tests, including his debut against England at Brisbane in December, 1965, and scored 15 centuries in his career.

Past inductees included legends like Donald Bradman, Dennis Lillee, Allan Border and Steve Waugh.