Everyone knows Sachin Tendulkar became the first male cricketer to smash a double hundred in One Day International (ODI) cricket.
But what if I told you the Master Blaster wasn’t the first player to reach the 200-run mark?
What?
Yes. You read that right!
Belinda Clark brought up the first-ever double hundred in ODIs (men’s or women’s).
In this article, let’s look at the women cricketers who have scored double centuries in WODIs.
1. Belinda Clark | Australia Women (229* vs Denmark Women)
On 16 December 1997, Australia’s former captain Belinda Clark scripted history by becoming the first player to break the 200-run milestone in ODIs. That was 13 years before Sachin Tendulkar’s masterclass in 2010!
Clark’s whirlwind knock unfolded in the 1997 Women’s World Cup match against Denmark in Mumbai. The inexperienced Danish bowling attack had to face the wrath of Clark, who came to open the batting.
Clark was in absolutely no mood to spare any bowlers, taking them all to the cleaners. She amassed an unbeaten 229 runs off 155 balls, which included 22 fours.
Clark’s exploits with the bat helped Australia post the then-second-highest total in Women’s ODIs. In response to the 413 runs target, Denmark slumped to 49/10, with no player even reaching double digits.
2. Amelia Kerr | New Zealand Women (232* vs Ireland Women)
After almost a gap of 21 years, another opening batter, Amelia Kerr, smacked a double ton in Women’s ODIs in 2018. Moreover, she even breached Belinda Clark’s record of the highest individual score in WODIs with her 232 not out knock.
Amelia Kerr, who was just 17 years old at the time, became the youngest player to rack up a double hundred across formats (men’s or women’s).
The White Ferns batter scored an unbeaten 232 runs in 145 balls, including 31 fours and 2 sixes, against Ireland in Dublin. What’s fascinating about her knock is she opened the innings for the first time in her ODI career.
Final Words
As of now, only 2 women cricketers have racked up double centuries in Women’s ODIs. With time, as women’s cricket evolves further, we might see batters lighting up the stadium with their fiery and huge knocks.
