OTD: Belinda Clarke struck first-ever 200 in ODIs

Former Australian skipper Belinda Clarke etched her name into cricketing folklore on December 16, 1997 by becoming the first cricketer in the ODI format to attain a double-century. The knock was a trailblazing one, an innings which was filled with rich strokeplay.

The landmark knock came against Denmark in the 1997 Women’s World Cup at the MIG Ground in Bandra, Mumbai. Clarke batted aggressively right from the outset as Australia, who opted to bat first, lost only three wickets on their way to 412 in their 50 overs.

Her knock comprised 22 fours and she remained unbeaten till the end to pile up 229 off 155 to her name. During the course of a special innings, Clarke ended up breaking Lisa Keightley’s record for the highest score by a batter in Women’s ODIs. Keightley had registered 156* earlier in the year.

The Aussies went onto win the match by a resounding 363-run margin by cleaning up the opposition for a paltry 49 in 25.5 overs. Bronwyn Calver and Avril Fahey had an economy rate of lesser than 1 while bowling four and five overs each. 

However, the star performer of the match was undoubtedly Clarke. Even 28 years since playing one of the greatest knocks of all time, her score of 229* has only been eclipsed once in women’s cricket – by Amelia Kerr (232* off 145) against Ireland in 2018.

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