Belinda Clark named legend in Australia Hall of Fame making her just the sixth cricketer to be handed the honour.
Belinda Clark handed legend status by Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Belinda Clark, the former captain of Australia, has been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame as a legend.
Following Donald Bradman, Keith Miller, Richie Benaud, Dennis Lillee, and Shane Warne, Clark is just the sixth cricketer to receive the accolade. According to the Hall of Fame, it honours “excellence, longevity, resilience, and lifelong contribution to their sports.”
During his 1991–2005 international career, Clark averaged 47.49 in ODIs and 45.95 in Tests, making him one of the greatest batters of all time. At the young age of 23, she was named captain, a position she kept for 11 years.
Under Clark’s leadership, Australia won two World Cups and 83 of 101 ODIs. In 11 of her 15 Test matches, she was the team’s captain. When Clark hit an undefeated 229 against Denmark in the 1997 World Cup, she became the first player, male or female, to reach an ODI double-century.
As a member of the ICC Women’s Committee and an administrator for Cricket Australia, Clark has played a pivotal role in advancing women’s cricket off the pitch since she concluded her playing career.
“It’s an unbelievable honour to be elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame,” Clark said. “I am experiencing a combination of surprise, gratitude and pride. I played a team sport, and the reality is none of us achieve anything without the support and commitment of the whole team.
“I hope my team-mates along with the coaches, support staff and administration feel like they are a part of this recognition. Professionally, I am proud of where the sport is going. It is setting the pace in the ambition to be equitable and whilst there is still a way to go, I am bullish about the future.”
Sport Australia Hall of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney said: “She’s a trailblazer, an extraordinary batter, who changed the mode of play by attacking the bowling. Player, captain and ultimately the top-level administrator, her leadership and influence are unrivalled.”