The Trailblazer of Women’s Cricket
A Turning Point for Women’s Cricket: How Belinda Clark’s Innings Shattered Barriers and Inspired Generations
In the fast-paced world of sports, we often tend to overlook the trailblazers who paved the way for the present generation. Cricket is no exception to this tendency, where the latest records and achievements tend to overshadow the groundbreaking contributions made by the predecessors. It is crucial to remember the pioneers who paved the way for the present generation and acknowledge their remarkable feats, which have laid the foundation for the sport’s evolution.
Whenever we think of double centuries in cricket, the names that immediately comes to mind are Rohit Sharma’s 3 double tons or Sachin Tendulkar’s innings, or Martin Guptill’s swashbuckling knock in World Cup. However, what if I told you that someone had accomplished this incredible feat long before these legends of the game? And not just accomplished it, but perhaps done so in the most impactful way possible.
Even a decade ago, a double century was a rare occurrence, but it was not only unheard of but was simply beyond imagination in the late 90s. The event remains rare despite the aggressive fashion in which modern-day cricket is played. When the legendary Sachin Tendulkar scored first double century on 24th February 2010 against South Africa in Gwalior, the entire cricketing world bowed to the Master in respect. However, the Master Blaster was not the first player to score a double ton in a One-Day International.
Instead, as many as 13 years before the great Tendulkar reached the coveted mark in a 50-over format, it was Belinda Clark, the Australian captain, who smashed the first double ton in the history of One-Day International.
The historic event occurred on December 16, 1997. On that day, Belinda Clark achieved what no other person, male or female, had ever achieved before — she scored a double century in a One Day International match. The ramifications of her feat were significant, not only for women’s cricket but for gender equality in the sport.
On that day Clark scored undefeated 229 runs off just 155 balls. Viewers and pundits were transfixed by her. Yet Clark’s innings were also notable for other reasons, it shattered the glass ceiling and paved the way for women’s cricket to be taken seriously on the world stage. Women’s cricket, which until that point had been largely overlooked and marginalized. Clark’s innings acted as a catalyst for change.
It’s worth mentioning, Earlier in the day, England’s Charlotte Edwards had set a new record for the highest score in women’s ODIs with an unbeaten 173 against Ireland. But Clark was not to be outdone, as she promptly surpassed Edwards’ record only hours later.
During those days, women’s cricket had been relegated to a secondary status, with little investment or support from with little to no support from cricketing boards around the world. The sport was seen as a mere sideshow to men’s cricket, with little attention paid to the achievements of female cricketers. But Clark’s innings changed all that. It put women’s cricket firmly in the spotlight and challenged the status quo.
It’s safe to say that after that World Cup and the attention it received the next generation of young girls and women were motivated to play cricket, especially in Australia, which had a significant influence on the sport. More chances for women in cricket were made possible by the sport’s soaring participation rates. Future generations of female cricket players were made possible because of Clark’s innings, which sparked change. Ironically the biggest award in Australian women’s cricket presented annually to the most outstanding female cricketer of the year, is known as The Belinda Clark Medal.
Belinda Clark’s double century remains an awe-inspiring feat to this day. The fact that she achieved it more than two decades ago when women’s cricket was far from the mainstream, makes it all the more remarkable. While modern-day cricket has certainly become more aggressive and conducive to high-scoring games, the fact remains that scoring a double century in a one-day game is still incredibly difficult.
Her record was surpassed by New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr in 2018 after 21 years she scored an unbeaten 232 off 145 balls against Ireland becoming only the second woman to score a double-century in ODIs.
The impact of Clark’s innings on the sport of women’s cricket cannot be overstated. It showed that women’s cricket was capable of producing moments of greatness that could rival those seen in the men’s game. Ironically, it may come as a surprise to many fans that the innings was never televised. At the time, there were no cameras installed at the MIG Cricket Club Ground. Consequently, Clark’s remarkable feat could not be broadcast live to the world.
Despite the lack of visual coverage, the match was still broadcast on the radio. In addition, several sports journalists were present at the ground to report on the match, giving fans a first-hand account of the historic innings.
The absence of cameras to document Clark’s innings highlights the stark contrast between the state of men’s and women’s cricket at the time. While men’s cricket had already established itself as a commercial powerhouse, women’s cricket was still in its nascent stages and lacked the financial and technical support required for proper coverage.
Clark’s innings is an indelible part of women’s cricket history. It remains a defining moment that propelled the sport forward and set a new standard for excellence. Her name will always be synonymous with greatness in the sport, and her legacy has undoubtedly inspired generations of young female cricketers. More than just a feat of individual skill and perseverance, Clark’s double century served as a turning point in the fight for gender equality in cricket. It opened doors and shattered barriers, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.
Clark’s achievement was a testament to what can be achieved when barriers are broken down and potential is unleashed. In the words of the great, W.G. Grace,
“The great thing about cricket is that it allows people to achieve beyond their wildest dreams.”
Belinda Clark’s inning was more than just a double century- it was a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the globe.
