Which Cricketer Scored The First ODI Double Century In 1997?

The world of One Day International (ODI) cricket was given a turning point in 1997 when the fate of limited-overs cricket was altered forever. A record-long thought was finally broken. But who was the cricketer to score the first ODI double century in 1997? The answer is Belinda Clark, the great Australian women’s cricket captain.

Belinda Clark – The First ODI Double Century Pioneer

Who is Belinda Clark?

Belinda Clark is a legendary figure in women’s cricket history. Born on September 10, 1970, in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Clark first played for the international team in 1991. She played for the Australian women’s cricket team with great distinction, captaining the team, and was renowned for her aggressive batting, leadership, and good sportsmanship.

Clark’s contribution to cricket for women cannot be quantified, but her record-breaking performance in 1997 raised her to the stature of a global cricketing icon.

The Historic Innings – 229* vs Denmark

Date and Venue

Date: December 16, 1997

Venue: MIG Ground, Bandra, Mumbai, India

Event: Women’s Cricket World Cup 1997

In a group-stage encounter of the 1997 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Australia played against Denmark, which was quite a new and inexperienced team in the international arena. Belinda Clark took the chance to show everyone how dominating women’s cricket could get.

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* (155 balls)

Clark’s 229 not out off 155 balls contained 22 fours and was achieved at a strike rate of 147.74. She used her innings to drive Australia to a huge total of 412/3 in 50 overs, one of the record team scores in women’s ODI cricket up until this point.

Why This Innings Was Historic

Historic because it was the first-ever double century in ODI cricket (men’s or women’s).

Belinda Clark’s 229* was not just a record in women’s cricket but also the first double century in the history of ODI cricket, for both men and women. This record-breaking achievement was over 12 years before Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic 200* in 2010.

Most Rare Moment

Before Clark’s innings, a score above 175 in ODIs was rare. Her innings overcame that psychological barrier and showed that a double century was possible in the 50-over game.

Comparison: Belinda Clark vs Other ODI Double Centurions

Player\Score\Opponent\Year\Format

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 was the first ever to achieve this feat and is still a standard for excellence in ODI batting.

Legacy of Belinda Clark’s Double Century

Recognition and Honors

Belinda Clark’s innings not only made history but also raised the profile of women’s cricket across the world. She was awarded various honours, including:

Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2000

Inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2011

Inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014

Statue Unveiled at SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) in 2023, the very first statue of a woman cricketer anywhere in the world

Impact on Women’s Cricket

Clark’s 229* was a ray of hope. It influenced a generation of women cricketers who began to believe in scoring big in limited-overs cricket.

Her record remained unconquerable in women’s ODIs for more than 21 years until New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr broke it in 2018.

Why the 1997 Double Century is Still Relevant Today

In the era of power-hitting, T20 leagues, and data analysis, Belinda Clark’s 229* is still one of the purest, skillful, and dominant innings in the history of ODI cricket. It was written in an age with no powerplays, restrictions on fielders, or boundary ropes shortened, and hence all the more remarkable.

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