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Belinda Clark’s Iconic 229 – A Benchmark That Still Defines Women’s World Cup History

Poulomi Chakraborty

Belinda Clark's Brilliant Double Hundred (Source: @ICC/x.com)Belinda Clark's Brilliant Double Hundred (Source: @ICC/x.com)

In cricket, soaring sixes and jaw-dropping boundaries excite the fans, but a player’s true character shines through their milestones. While half-centuries and centuries add taste, a double-century is the secret spice that turns a player into a legend.

If we ask who scored the first-ever ODI double hundred, undoubtedly the answer will be Sachin Tendulkar. But long before that, Australian legend Belinda Clark made history with the first-ever ODI double ton in 1997, on the grand stage of the Women’s World Cup. Let’s revisit this golden moment in women’s cricket.

A Double Hundred Comes Before Anyone Even Imagines It

Women’s cricket may have taken flight later than the men’s game, but once it spread its wings, it nurtured some of the finest talents the sport has ever seen. As the Australian stars have graced the big stage of men’s cricket, women's Aussie stars are not behind. Breaking into the cricket scenes, they shattered the stage with their brilliance.

In recent time’s Australian stars like Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry are taking up the women’s cricket world, but the hierarchy was established long ago when former Australian captain Belinda Clark started the legacy a long time ago. A cornerstone of the Australian squad for years, Clark became a true pioneer of women’s cricket when she smashed the first-ever double century in the 50-over format.

In men’s cricket, Sachin Tendulkar recorded the first-ever double hundred in ODIs in 2010; Clark achieved the feat back in 1997 on the grand stage of the Women’s ODI World Cup. At a time when women’s cricket was striving for global recognition, Clark’s extraordinary innings gave the sport a monumental boost and etched her name into history.

Mumbai Lights Up As Clark Delivers A Double-Hundred Masterclass

The 1997 Women’s World Cup in India was a monumental edition in the history of the Women’s World Cup, and Belinda Clarke’s masterclass is one of the biggest highlights of the marquee tournament. Facing Denmark in the 18th match of the tournament, Australia batted first, and Belinda Clark came to open the innings with Lisa Keighley.

Making a 168-run opening partnership, the duo gave a massive boost to Australia’s innings. The MIG Ground in Mumbai witnessed Clarke’s dominance, footwork, outstanding stroke plays, and eyes set on achieving glory. Surging past the century and 150-run mark, she carved an unforgettable legacy, eventually reaching the double-century milestone unbeaten with 229 runs off 155 balls, including 22 boundaries.

As the ground witnessed a woman setting a global benchmark, the iconic moment was far from being captured. With no live broadcast, no major headlines, and barely any camera flashes, Clark’s extraordinary feat went largely unseen, but her milestone would remain unmatched for  years.

In the ODI format, Belinda Clarke’s remarkable often overshadowed by Sachin Tendulkar’s double hundred. But her knock was more than a personal milestone; it was a statement of excellence that elevated women’s cricket at a time when the sport’s future still hung in the balance.