The inaugural T20 Hall of Fame, presented by Vitality, has been announced, with Essex Cricket legend Ravi Bopara among the inductees.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today confirmed the first-ever inductees into the T20 Hall of Fame presented by Vitality.
Ravi Bopara, Charlotte Edwards, James Vince and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are the first four inductees into the newly-created T20 Hall of Fame.
Bopara had played all 23 seasons of the Vitality Blast until his retirement in the winter. He is the men’s competition’s third-highest runscorer (5,290), has taken the eighth-most wickets (169) and made the second-most appearances (236). A 2019 champion with Essex and his unforgettable 105* for Northamptonshire in last year’s quarter-finals sealed his legacy and his place in the Hall of Fame.
On becoming an inductee, Bopara said: “For me it’s an honour to be recognised in that way. My whole journey has come along with the Blast since 2003. I think my proudest moment is winning it in 2019 with Essex - the best day of my career. I want to thank the fans.
"The fans have been unbelievable, they are the heartbeat of the Blast. I want to thank the fans for the song they made for me - I’ll never forget that. Hearing that song got me going every single time.”
This marks an historic moment for men’s and women’s domestic T20 cricket in England and Wales as the game celebrates four of its iconic players on the eve of the new Vitality Blast season.
The inductees were selected for addition into the T20 Hall of Fame by an independent expert panel, alongside a public vote, from a 12-player shortlist that the ECB announced in March.
This summer’s new-look Vitality Blast begins next Friday with ‘Blast Off’ when 16 double headers will be played over the opening Bank Holiday Weekend. Secure your tickets now and save the disappointment of missing out on an entertaining summer of cricket in Chelmsford!
Click here to purchase your tickets to watch the Essex Men and Women in action at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground!
