Ask most cricket fans who scored the first ODI double century, and chances are you’ll hear “Sachin Tendulkar” in response.
After all, that unforgettable 200 not out against South Africa in Gwalior was broadcast across the globe, celebrated as a historic moment in the sport.
But here’s the thing – Tendulkar wasn’t actually first.
The real answer? Belinda Clark. The Australian opener achieved this remarkable feat in 1997, a full 13 years before Sachin’s masterclass.
She didn’t just score a double century – she smashed 229 not out against Denmark during the Women’s World Cup, setting a benchmark that seemed impossible at the time.
It’s a record that deserves far more recognition than it gets.
Which Cricketer Scored the First ODI Double Century
Belinda Clark’s Historic Innings in 1997
- On December 16, 1997, in Mumbai, Belinda Clark walked out to open the batting for Australia against Denmark in a Women’s World Cup match. What followed was an exhibition of stroke play that redefined what was considered possible in limited-overs cricket.
- Clark’s unbeaten 229 came off just 155 deliveries, an innings laced with 22 boundaries.
- She dominated from the first ball, displaying impeccable timing and an ability to find gaps that left the Danish fielders chasing leather all day.
- Australia posted a mammoth 412/3 in their 50 overs, eventually winning by 363 runs – a margin that still stands as one of the most comprehensive victories in ODI cricket.
The Context That Made It Extraordinary
- To understand how groundbreaking this innings was, you need to consider the era.
- In 1997, even scoring 150 in an ODI was rare.
- The highest individual score in men’s ODI cricket at that point was Saeed Anwar’s 194, achieved earlier that same year. The notion that someone could reach 200 seemed almost fictional – yet Clark not only reached it, she sailed past it with 29 runs to spare.
- Her strike rate of around 148 was exceptional for that period.
- This wasn’t just about accumulation; it was aggressive, dominating cricket that would be impressive even by today’s standards.
Career Statistics of Belinda Clark
Clark’s double century wasn’t a flash in the pan. She was one of the most consistent and skilled batters in women’s cricket throughout her career.
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| ODI Matches | 118 |
| Total Runs | 4,844 |
| Batting Average | 47.49 |
| Highest Score | 229* |
| Centuries | 5 |
| Half-Centuries | 30 |
| Career Span | 1991–2005 |
These numbers reflect consistency over 14 years at the highest level. An average close to 50 in ODI cricket is exceptional, and her ratio of fifties to centuries shows she knew how to convert starts into substantial scores.
When Did a Male Cricketer First Score an ODI Double Century?
- Sachin Tendulkar became the first male cricketer to score a double century in ODI cricket on February 24, 2010. Playing against South Africa at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior, the Master Blaster crafted an unbeaten 200 off 147 balls.
- The innings was vintage Tendulkar – all elegance and controlled aggression. He hit 25 fours and 3 sixes, pacing his knock perfectly to ensure India posted a competitive total. The celebration that followed was fitting for a player who had carried the hopes of a billion fans for over two decades.
- But even in that moment of glory, it’s worth remembering that Belinda Clark had already crossed that barrier more than a decade earlier.
Complete List of ODI Double Centuries
Since Clark’s pioneering effort, the 200-run mark in ODI cricket has been breached multiple times. Here’s how the list stands:
In Women’s ODI Cricket:
- Belinda Clark – 229* vs Denmark (1997)
- Amelia Kerr – 232* vs Ireland (2018)
In Men’s ODI Cricket:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 200* vs South Africa (2010)
- Virender Sehwag – 219 vs West Indies (2011)
- Rohit Sharma – 209 vs Australia (2013)
- Rohit Sharma – 264 vs Sri Lanka (2014)
- Rohit Sharma – 208* vs Sri Lanka (2017)
- Martin Guptill – 237* vs West Indies (2015)
- Chris Gayle – 215 vs Zimbabwe (2015)
Rohit Sharma holds the record for most double centuries in ODI cricket with three, and also has the highest individual score of 264.
Indian Players Who’ve Scored ODI Double Centuries
India has produced three players who’ve achieved this milestone:
- Sachin Tendulkar – The first Indian and first male cricketer overall
- Virender Sehwag – Known for his explosive approach, his 219 came at a strike rate of over 140
- Rohit Sharma – The only player with three ODI double hundreds, including the world record 264
Each of these innings came in different contexts. Tendulkar’s was about breaking new ground. Sehwag’s was pure dominance. Rohit’s trilogy showed consistent ability to convert hundreds into massive scores.
Expert Insight: Why Double Centuries Remained Rare for So Long
- There’s a psychological barrier to big scores in ODI cricket that goes beyond just skill. Most batters, even world-class ones, start thinking about getting out once they cross 150. The pressure shifts from “how many can I score?” to “don’t throw it away now.”
- Clark and later Tendulkar had the mental fortitude to push past that barrier. It’s not just about shots – it’s about maintaining concentration for 35-40 overs while continuously assessing risk. One loose shot, one moment of casual running between wickets, and it’s over.
- The fact that only eight male cricketers and two female cricketers have ever done it in thousands of ODI matches tells you how rare that combination of skill, situation, and mental strength really is.
Fastest Double Century in ODI Cricket
- Speed matters too. While reaching 200 is extraordinary, doing it quickly adds another dimension.
- The fastest double century in men’s ODI cricket belongs to Chris Gayle, who reached 200 runs in just 138 balls against Zimbabwe in 2015. True to his “Universe Boss” nickname, Gayle’s innings was a brutal display of power hitting.
- In women’s cricket, Amelia Kerr’s 232* came off 145 balls, making it one of the fastest double hundreds across both formats when you consider the strike rate maintained throughout.
The First Double Century in Test Cricket
- While we’re focused on ODIs, it’s worth noting that double centuries in Test cricket came much earlier – which makes sense given the unlimited overs available.
- The first-ever double century in Test cricket was scored by William Murdoch of Australia, who made 211 against England at The Oval in 1884. That’s right – over a century before anyone managed it in the shorter format.
Why Belinda Clark’s Record Deserves More Recognition
- Here’s the uncomfortable truth: many cricket conversations still sideline women’s cricket achievements.
- Clark’s record is historically significant not just for women’s cricket, but for the sport as a whole.
- She proved that 200 runs in an ODI was achievable when conventional wisdom said it wasn’t.
- Her innings influenced how future generations approached batting in limited-overs cricket.
- It showed that aggressive intent combined with proper technique could yield unprecedented results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who scored the very first double century in ODI cricket history?
Belinda Clark of Australia scored the first ODI double century with an unbeaten 229 against Denmark in the 1997 Women’s World Cup.
- How many double centuries have been scored in ODI cricket?
As of now, there have been nine double centuries in ODI cricket – two in women’s cricket and seven in men’s cricket.
- Which Indian player has the most ODI double centuries?
Rohit Sharma holds this record with three ODI double hundreds, more than any other player worldwide.
- What’s the highest individual score in ODI cricket?
Rohit Sharma’s 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 is the highest individual score in ODI cricket.
- Did Sachin Tendulkar score the first ODI double century?
No. Sachin was the first male cricketer to score an ODI double century in 2010, but Belinda Clark achieved it first in 1997.
Final Thoughts on Cricket’s First ODI Double Century
The story of the first ODI double century is a reminder that cricket history isn’t always written by the most celebrated names or biggest moments.
Belinda Clark’s 229 not out deserves to be remembered alongside Tendulkar’s achievement, not as a footnote but as the pioneering innings it was.
Both innings – Clark’s in 1997 and Tendulkar’s in 2010 – expanded our understanding of what’s possible in ODI cricket.
They showed that boundaries exist to be broken, and that records are targets waiting to be surpassed.
Next time someone asks which cricketer scored the first ODI double century, you’ll know the complete answer.
And maybe, just maybe, more fans will start giving Belinda Clark the recognition she’s always deserved.
