The first ever cricket match is believed to have been a men’s game in 1646 in Kent. The first women’s game took almost another century, when two Surrey villages competed in 1745.
In the last couple of decades, the women’s game has grown in profile. The ongoing WPL (Women’s Premier League) has added to its appeal and its economics. At such a time, it’s worth remembering that women’s cricket produced some firsts before men.
First Double-Hundred in ODIs (Belinda Clark)
The image of Sachin Tendulkar with his arms outstretched, and looking heavenwards, after scoring an ODI double-century against South Africa in 2009 has gone down in history. But it was Australian women’s captain Belinda Clark, who was the first player to achieve the feat when she scored an unbeaten 229 against Denmark in the 1997 World Cup. This record is etched in the history books and cannot be erased.
First Double-Ton in a World Cup (Belinda Clark)
As Clark’s knock came in the World Cup, she got another record against her name. West Indies’ Chris Gayle entered the fray when he slammed 215 in the 2015 men’s World Cup against Zimbabwe.
First 400+ Score by a Team in ODIs (New Zealand)
In January 1997, the New Zealand women’s team ran amok against Pakistan, as they smashed 455/5, becoming the first team in One-Day Internationals to get past 400 on the scoreboard. In reply, Pakistan were bundled out for 47, losing the match by a staggering 408 runs, which is also the biggest victory margin in ODIs till date. The men’s record is held by India, who scored a 317-run win against Sri Lanka in 2023.
Most Consecutive 400+ Totals by a Team in ODIs (New Zealand)
The New Zealand women’s team also became the first in ODIs to register 400+ totals in three consecutive matches. The White Ferns played three One-Day Internationals against Ireland in 2018 and scored 490/4, 418-all out and 440/3, respectively. In the third match, Amelia Kerr broke Belinda Clark’s 21-year-old record of the highest individual score, hitting 232. The first ODI, wherein New Zealand scored 490 runs, was a record for the highest team total that stood for four years before the England men’s team eclipsed it by making 498/4 vs Netherlands in 2022.
Youngest Player to Score a Double-Century in ODIs (Amelia Kerr)
Amelia Kerr was only 17 years and 243 days old when she overtook Belinda Clark’s record of the highest score in women’s ODIs. In the process, she also became the youngest player – male or female – to score a double-century in ODIs.
Youngest Player to Score a Century in ODIs (Amy Hunter)
Mithali Raj broke Shahid Afridi’s record to become the youngest cricketer to score an ODI hundred at 16 years and 205 days, slamming 114 against Ireland in 1999. In 2021, Ireland’s Amy Hunter upstaged Raj’s record on her 16th birthday, registering an unbeaten 121 against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Most Number of T20 World Cup Appearances & Wins (Australia)
The Australian women’s cricket team has also won the most number of T20 World Cups (6) while appearing in seven finals, which is also a record. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England have made three appearances each in T20 Men’s World Cup finals, with the West Indies and England winning the trophy twice, the most in men’s cricket.
Most Matches Played in T20 World Cup (Ellyse Perry)
Ellyse Perry has appeared in 42 matches in T20 World Cups for Australian women, which is the most by any player. In comparison, Rohit Sharma’s appearance in 39 matches is the most in men’s T20 World Cup.
