SCG adds Australia legend Belinda Clark's statue as first of a female cricketer in the world

Australia great Belinda Clark on Thursday became the first women’s cricketer to be immortalised in bronze at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The statue of the former Aussie skipper stands alongside Richie Benaud, Steve Waugh, Stan McCabe, and Fred Spofforth among the cricketers at the ground.

The announcement of the landmark statue was made back in 2021 with as many as 73 statues of male cricketers already in existence in Australia at that point. However, the identity of the player chosen for the honour was not revealed to the public until Thursday. Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley was elated to share the news of Clark being honoured with a sculpture for her contributions to the national side.

The Sydney Cricket Ground is home to the world’s first sculpture of a female cricketer, with Belinda Clark immortalised in bronze at the venue’s entry.

📃 https://t.co/2kVtNT74nV pic.twitter.com/Z1ZBylnK9s

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 4, 2023

"I am absolutely thrilled that Belinda Clark has been honoured with a sculpture in the SCG precinct and becomes the first female cricketer to receive this recognition. Belinda not only compiled a superb playing record for Australia as a batter and captain; she helped inspire the current generation of cricketers and, as an administrator, has had a profound impact on community cricket and the growth in participation,” Nick Hockley was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The sculpture encapsulates being courageous, break convention: Belinda Clark

Clark featured in 15 Tests, 118 ODIs, and one T20 international, becoming the first player to score a double century in the 50-over format when she smashed an unbeaten 229 runs against Denmark in 1997. Her illustrious career also includes winning two World Cups after being named as the skipper at the age of 23 and leading her country for 12 years through a golden period until her retirement in 2005.

"I'm excited to have the sculpture in place and for people to now look at it and perhaps wonder what that is, who that is, and to be able to tell a bit of a story is really important. The sculpture encapsulates being able to have a go-to be courageous, to take on those challenges and break convention,” said Clark. 

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