Michael Bevan talks about 1996 West Indies innings as he is inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

He was the master finisher who reshaped the way one-day cricket was played, now Michael Bevan has been recognised for his pioneering batting style by being inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

The New South Wales player, born in the ACT, is considered one of the greatest one-day batters of all time with his match-winning knock against the West Indies at the SCG in 1996 his most memorable innings.

With Australia facing certain defeat Bevan scored an unbeaten 78 and hit Roger Harper to the boundary on the final ball to win the game.

He was the linchpin of a dynamic Australian one day side which won the 1999 and 2003 World Cups and he scored 6912 one day runs at an average of 53.58 over his decade-long career.

For three and a half years he was the ranked the best one day batter worldwide from 1999 to 2002. Other memorable innings included 107 against South Africa in 1997 and 185 off 132 balls against an Asia XI in 2000.

Often overlooked in the history of his career but Bevan also played nearly 20 Test matches, claiming a 10-wicket haul against the West Indies at Adelaide Oval with his left-arm spin.

“It’s a great feeling, it makes me very proud to have played a part in a role in shaping people’s views of the game,” an elated Bevan said today. “I am assuming my role really shaped one-day cricket.”

Bevan said while he did not regret playing more Test cricket it was one area of his game he did not master like the one-day game.

“I wanted to transfer my skills from first class cricket to Test cricket and I did at times but was inconsistent. I am pretty much a peace with what happened all those years ago,” he said.

Bevan was the first player from the ACT to play for Australia.

“I truly believed I would play for Australia and really wanted to play for Australia,” he said.

“I am truly thankful to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

He revealed the impact his famous 1996 innings had on the cricketing public surprised him at the time.

“I had done that on many occasions previously. It so happened to catapult me and helped ensure I was known as finisher and solidified my spot in the one-day team. It happened naturally for me. I had a methodology when I played,” he said.

“It didn’t help by design, it happened by default. The role found me and I was completely comfortable in the role which I think was a reason I was successful in the role.”

Bevan’s induction as the 66th member of the hall comes one week after former Australian skipper Michael Clarke received the same honour.