Belinda Clark - don't die wondering

Paul Ryan | January 19, 2023

In 2014 Wisden Cricket Almanack picked their 5 greatest women cricketers, Belinda Clark was selected.

Belinda Clark was born in Newcastle, NSW, and the third of four children in a very active and sporting family. Belinda is often referred to as one of the pioneers on Women’s Cricket around the world.

In 2011 Belinda became the 2nd women to be inducted in the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame and in 2014 she became the first women to be inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

In 2018 Belinda was awarded an Order of Australia medal. The best Australian Women’s International Cricketer of the year is named in her honour ‘Belinda Clark Medal’

Belinda Clark scored 919 runs in 15 Test matches for Australia at an average of 45.95 and hit 2 centuries and 6 half centuries. She scored a century on her Test debut in 1991 against India. Belinda is Australian Women’s Test player number 119.

In 118 One Day Internationals Belinda scored 4,844 runs at an average of 47.49 including 5 centuries and 30 half centuries. Belinda was the first women to score a double hundred in a One Day International when she scored 229 against Denmark in the 1997 World Cup in India.

Belinda retired from International Cricket in 2005 and has continued her tremendous contribution to the game through administration and leadership roles in Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.

On 4 January 2023, the first day of the New Year’s Test between Australia and South Africa Belinda Clark was immortalised at the SCG as a first female cricketer in the world to receive a statue in her honour. 

Let’s find out more about Belinda’s journey and insights into the game

Where were you born?

Newcastle, NSW

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Outdoor cricket - My first real game was with the girls team at High School when I was 13 years old.. I have no idea what the outcome was but in that same year I was selected for the Hunter Region Girls Team and then NSW CHS team. That same year I played in a boys’ team for East JCC (Newcastle) in the U16 Division 1 Team. Originally training with the boys ahead of the NSWCHS competition but ended up playing the season.

Indoor cricket - At the local indoor centre as a 14 year old (I think) playing in a mixed team with my older sister. I played for Australia at age 16

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

A mix of indoor and outdoor opportunities as a teenager whilst based in Newcastle. I then went to University in Sydney to study physio. The premier clubs I have played for:

• Gordon WCC
• Marrickville WCC – later Merged with Balmain DCC (which then became Sydney CC)
• Dandenong WCC (Melbourne)

Can we ask what, who and how you were inspired to play cricket?

Always fascinated with the game but I suspect the inspiration came from my older brother Colin who is 5 years older.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

Debut for Gordon WCC when I was around 15. I have no idea how I went but I loved it.

Belinda Clark batting for Australia in a Test match

What were your strengths as a player?

Busy batter. My strengths were off side play and running between wickets. I had a reasonable pull shot and worked hard on other leg side play.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

229 not out in a One Day International in the 1997 World Cup in India against Denmark

Belinda Clark on her way to 229 in the 1997 World Cup against Denmark

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

I bowled intermittently but the older I got the less I bowled. Started with medium pace and ended up with off spin.

You played 15 Test Matches and 118 One day international matches for Australia, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected in the Australian team for the first time and what do you remember about your international debut?

I was selected to play for Australia in 1993-94 season the same year I debut for NSW. I found out when the Australian team was announced at the end of the national championships, we gathered and played my first match (ODI) in Hobart v NZ.

You captained Australia, won Ashes series, a World Cup in a truly amazing and decorated career, how do you look back on your cricket career?

I look back fondly and am so grateful for the opportunities provided and the people I played with and the support staff that poured time and energy into helping me (and the team). I’m very proud that many of my team mates continue to contribute to the game in various ways (coaching, commentary, administration etc)

What are you most proud of from a cricket perspective?

I am proud that we won 80% of our international matches. We were determined to dominate and applied ourselves to do this whilst still having fun off the field.

Leadership comes in many forms. What are the three characteristics you like to see in a leader? 

1.     Do what you say.

2.     Build strong relationships

3.     Empower people to be their best (going after the team mission)

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Cathryn Fitzpatrick – I played against Cathryn when I was playing for NSW and she was with Victoria. She was quick and clever strategically

Charmaine Mason – as above. A bowler who changed pace well and could cut the ball in off the wicket which isn’t fun at pace.

Jhulan Goswami – taller than most she created a problem with trajectory that was different to most. She only got me out once, but she was hard to get away.

Lucy Pearson (Test) was difficult – tall and left handed and a little erratic but when they were in the right area she was a tough customer to handle.

Cathryn Fitzpatrick

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Neetu David – clever and miserly with limited scoring opportunities. She was hard to read and had good changes of pace and variety of balls.

Catherine Campbell. – always caused some trouble within our order. She got me out more than any other player. Generally caught trying to hit her somewhere I shouldn’t…. but I did score runs from her before the fatal error!

Neetu David

Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?

Charlotte Edwards – a little unconventional and very determined. Great ability to concentrate and loved the contest. She was hard to dislodge and hurt with runs most of the time she was in.

Karen Rolton – played for South Australia. She is clearly one of the best players I played with as well. A great competitor and amazing striking ability.

Deb Hockley – the mainstay of the New Zealand team and the nachos of their innings. She was technically sound and difficult to rattle.

Charlotte Edwards

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Karen Rolton – I played one T20 International (it was my last game) at the end of an Ashes tour in 2005 and Karen’s innings that day was unbelievable. She won the game almost single handedly and considering we hadn’t played a T20 game before it was amazing. She would be a household name today if she was playing in this era.

Karen Rolton

Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?

Catherine Campbell got me out most in ODI but I scored before that happened…. Generally taller pace bowlers were difficult to adjust to different trajectories (Pearson and Goswami as well)

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?

Early doors playing in a Division 1 U16 boys team in Newcastle as a 13-14 year old was by far the most beyond my capability at the time.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Chris Matthews in terms of professionalism and dedication to being her best. She was the heart and would of the team.

Julia Price was impressive as well.

Chris Matthews

Who are the players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Karen Rolton, Charlotte Edwards, Cathryn Fitzpatrick

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Lyn Larsen captained Australia and NSW when I started playing. She was a very good tactician and I learnt a lot from watching her. She had an ability to restrict the batters strengths and force them to do something they weren’t comfortable doing.

I played a lot of club cricket under Christina Matthews and learnt a lot from her on a regular basis.

Lyn Larsen

Who was the umpire you admired most in terms of how the managed a game?

Bruce Oxenford

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Lisa Keightley

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

I laugh at many things, but particularly the stuff that had absolutely no impact on the game – generally off field or change room rubbish.

Who was your childhood hero?

Started off as Kim Hughes and moved the Steve Waugh. I loved watching Greg Chappell bat as well.

Kim Hughes and Steve Waugh

Who is the sports person you’d most like to meet?

Martina Navratilova.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Mel Jones

Can you share the two cricket journalist whose work you’ve enjoyed most over the years? 

Alison Mitchell, Isha Guha, Mel Jones, Lisa Sthalekar, Mel Farrell

What was your favourite ground to play at?

SCG

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning the 1997 World Cup in India in front of 70k plus people

The Australian Women's Cricket team celebrate the 1997 World Cup win

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

The 2 World Cup wins were equally the standouts – 97 and 2005

Australian Women's Cricket team 2005 World cup win

If there was one match up, a bowler and batter of any era head to head at their peak, who would you choose?

Shane Warne and Karen Rolton

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

I can’t choose 3 – I would have the whole team over

What are your hobbies?

• I like to be active - running, walking the dog, riding etc
• Podcasts – I love learning and have found podcasts a great way to do this.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Don’t die wondering

What is your occupation?

I work for myself after 25 yrs working in cricket (CNSW and CA). Company called The Leadership Playground aiming to help young females gain leadership capability and confidence.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

I’m still involved via the T20 World Cup Board (men’s and womens’ event) and mentoring some female leaders.

Can we ask what state cricket associations need to have as their top 2 priorities to ensure cricket in their state and across Australia remains strong and successful on and off the field?

• Support the army of volunteers who bring the game to life each weekend.
• Continue to level out the inequities in the system between male and female players, staff, support staff, board members etc.