A Big Moment in ODI Cricket History
In 1997, something amazing happened in One Day International (ODI) cricket. A record that seemed impossible was finally broken. Belinda Clark, the captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, became the first cricketer ever (male or female) to score a double century (200+ runs) in an ODI match.
This moment changed the future of limited-overs cricket forever.
Who Is Belinda Clark?
Belinda Clark is one of the most respected names in women’s cricket. She was born on September 10, 1970, in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. She started playing international cricket in 1991 and went on to captain the Australian women’s team.
Known for her powerful batting and leadership, her biggest moment came in 1997, when she played a historic innings that made her a legend.
The Record-Breaking Innings – 229 vs Denmark*
Match Details
Date: December 16, 1997
Venue: MIG Ground, Bandra, Mumbai, India
Event: 1997 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
In a group-stage match of the World Cup, Australia played against Denmark, a team that was new to international cricket. Belinda Clark took this chance to show just how exciting and strong women’s cricket can be.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia Women vs Denmark Women |
| Tournament | 1997 Women’s World Cup |
| Venue | MIG Ground, Mumbai |
| Result | Australia won by 363 runs |
| Belinda Clark’s Score | 229* (not out) off 155 balls |
| Fours Hit | 22 |
| Strike Rate | 147.74 |
| Australia’s Total | 412/3 in 50 overs |
Why This Innings Was Special
✅ The First Cricketer to Score a Double Century in ODIs
Belinda Clark’s 229* was the first time any player — man or woman — scored 200+ runs in an ODI. She did it 13 years before Sachin Tendulkar, who became the first man to score 200* in 2010.
✅ A New Standard in Cricket
Before this, most batters thought scoring more than 175 runs in an ODI was nearly impossible. Clark showed that it could be done and changed how players approached 50-over matches.
Comparison with Other ODI Double Centurions
| Player | Score | Opponent | Year | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belinda Clark | 229* | Denmark | 1997 | Women |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 200* | South Africa | 2010 | Men |
| Rohit Sharma | 264 | Sri Lanka | 2014 | Men |
| Amelia Kerr | 232* | Ireland | 2018 | Women |
Clark’s Legacy and Achievements
🏅 Awards and Recognition
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) – 2000
ICC Hall of Fame – 2011
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame – 2014
Statue at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) – 2023
First statue of a female cricketer in the world
Belinda Clark’s double century gave hope and motivation to many young girls who dreamed of playing cricket. It showed that women could play long and high-scoring innings just like men.
Her record stayed unbeaten in women’s ODIs for over 21 years, until Amelia Kerr of New Zealand scored 232 in 2018*.
Why Her 229 Still Matters Today*
Even in today’s world of T20 cricket, advanced training, and shorter boundaries, Clark’s innings still stands out. She played her knock in a time without powerplays, no special bats, and no short ropes.
Her innings was a display of pure cricketing skill and smart batting.
FAQs
Q: Who scored the first-ever double century in ODI cricket?
A: Belinda Clark of Australia in 1997 against Denmark.
Q: When did a male cricketer first score a double century in ODIs?
A: Sachin Tendulkar did it in 2010 against South Africa.
Q: Has anyone scored more than 229 in women’s ODI cricket?*
A: Yes, Amelia Kerr scored 232* in 2018 against Ireland.
Q: How many women have scored double centuries in ODIs?
A: As of 2025, only two women have done it — Belinda Clark and Amelia Kerr.
