Cricket Australia (CA) congratulates all members of the Australian cricket family who have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List 2023 for their contribution to cricket and the community.
Former Australian women's captain Miriam Knee was awarded Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to cricket. Knee played eight Tests for Australia from 1961-72 including one as captain, taking 35 wickets at 16.28 and scoring 319 runs at 26.58. She also played six One Day Internationals.
Knee represented Victoria from 1959-74, served as an Australia, Victoria and NSW selector and made a substantial contribution across all levels of the game. She was previously honoured with the Centenary Medal, 2000.
Former Australian and Victorian batter and International Cricket Council (ICC) representative Bob Cowper was awarded Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to cricket and international cricket administration.
Cowper played 27 Tests for Australia between 1964-68 and made the first Test triple-century in Australia (307) against England at the MCG in 1965-66. He retired from international cricket aged 28 to pursue business interests.
Cowper was Australia's representative to the ICC from 1987-2001 where he had a strong influence furthering the interests of Australian Cricket and the game as a whole. He is a life member of Cricket Victoria and member of the Victorian Cricket Hall of Fame.
The Hon Kevin Greene, a Cricket NSW director, former NSW Government Minister and local government representative and long-time cricket administrator received the Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the Parliament of NSW, to local government and to the community.
Also honoured was Dr Peter Harcourt OAM, a long-time physician and medical advisor to Australian Cricket and current chair of the ICC's Medical Advisory Committee. He received the Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to sports and exercise medicine, and to anti-doping monitoring.
The King's Birthday Honours List 2023 includes a substantial number of people across all levels of cricket including many grassroots volunteers, long-time administrators, and officials.
Cricket Australia would like to congratulate all who have been honoured for different roles and services, as well as making a significant contribution to cricket.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said:
"We are enormously proud of all those who have gained deserved recognition for the role they play at all levels of our game.
"Congratulations to Miriam Knee who not only had a marvellous international and domestic career, but also worked hard in many roles to advance women's cricket.
"The robust health of cricket, and particularly as a sport for women and girls, would not be possible without the inspirational leadership provided by pioneers such as Miriam.
"Bob Cowper will always be remembered for his immense talent with the bat and, particularly, his fabled triple-century against England at the MCG during the 1965-66 Ashes series.
"Bob also found time during his illustrious business career to represent Australia at the ICC and ensure that Australian Cricket had a strong global voice and the interests of the game itself were protected.
"Congratulations to him, and to Kevin Greene and Dr Peter Harcourt, whose important service to cricket have also been recognised.
"It is particularly pleasing to see that so many people volunteering their time in local communities have been recognised for their contribution to cricket, or who include cricket among the many things they do to bring their communities together.
"Cricket would not have the positive impact it has on the lives of people across Australia without their hard work and leadership. Recognition in the King's Birthday Honours List is a fitting tribute to all those who serve our game so well."
*While service to cricket is not specifically mentioned in the citation for all the below, their contribution to cricket played a role in their nomination.
King's Birthday Honours List 2023
Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Mr Ian Neville CRAWFORD, VIC
For significant service to the dental industry, and to sport.
The Honourable Kevin Patrick GREENE, NSW
For significant service to the Parliament of New South Wales, to local government, and to the community.
Dr Peter Rex HARCOURT OAM, VIC
For significant service to sports and exercise medicine, and to anti-doping monitoring.
Mr Noel John PEARCE, TAS
For significant service to cycling, and to community sport through a range of roles.
Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division
Mr Kevin David BYE, VIC
For service to lawn bowls, and to the community.
Mr Ian Leslie CALDWELL VIC
For service to cricket, and to professional organisations.
The late Mr Brian William CHISHOLM, formerly of NSW
For service to the community of Berrigan.
Mr Robert Maskew COWPER, VIC
For service to cricket.
Mr Lynton George DONISTHORPE, SA
For service to cricket.
Mr Philip Lance ENDERSBEE, VIC
For service to the community through charitable organisations.
Mr Robert John FITZGERALD, NSW
For service to community of Blacktown.
Mr Robert Leonard GERSCH, VIC
For service to local government, and to the community.
Mrs Linda Faye HALL, QLD
For service to the community of Boyne Island.
Councillor Rosemary Linda HODGE, VIC
For service to local government, and to the community.
Dr David HUMPHRIES, TAS
For service to sports medicine.
Ms Miriam KNEE, NSW
For service to cricket.
Mr Bruce James MORLEY, VIC
For service to the community through a range of organisations.
Mr Toby MORRELL, WA
For service to cricket
.
Mr Terry PSARAKIS, NSW
For service to sport, particularly to cricket.
Mr Graeme Douglas ROBERTS-THOMSON MVO RFD, QLD
For service to public administration.
Mr Michael Walter RYAN, VIC
For service to the community through a range of organisations.
Mr Peter John SHINTON, NSW
For service to local government, and to the community of Coonabarabran.
Mr David SMALLMAN, NSW
For service to the community of the Central Coast, and to cricket.
Ms Carla STACEY, NSW
For service to the community of Marrickville.
Ms Julie Maureen WILTSHIRE, TAS
For service to the community through a range of organisations.
