From the first-ever Cricket World Cup to the first-ever ODI double centurion: 5 times Women were trailblazers of cricket

It has been five decades since women’s cricket has embarked upon an odyssey. In 2023, we can proudly say that BCCI took a gigantic leap forward as we are all set to witness the launch of the maiden edition of the Women’s Premier League.

No matter the challenges, no matter the destruction, the journey of Women’s cricket has withstood it all and eventually dared to navigate its way through a maze of almost insurmountable challenges and thrive in its most blazing livery. Here is a blend of a few iconic moments and individuals who transcended women’s cricket to the high-soaring pedestal of the modern day.

1.    1973 Women’s World Cup

We are all well aware of the fact that the Caribbean Giants managed to enforce a clean sweep in the two opening editions of the Men’s World Cup in 1975 and 1979 to send the world in a spin of awe and terror. However, did you know that before the giants arrived from West Indies to reign over the world, the opening edition of the Cricket World Cup was convened for women in 1973? Conducted in a round-robin format, England walked away with the bragging rights of the maiden edition of the tournament. 

2.    Belinda Clarke is the first-ever double-centurion in ODI cricket

It was a treat to witness Sachin Tendulkar brewing an unprecedented storm against the Proteas as he cannoned his way to an iconic double-century eventually becoming the first double-centurion in Men’s ODI cricket. However, before T20s came forth as a reality, transitioning itself from a mere madman’s thought, before those staggering 350s and 400s kind of became a more predominant spectacle in ODIs, reckoning Australian batter, Belinda Clarke fired home the first double-century in the history of ODI cricket, smashing 229 from a paltry 155 balls against Denmark women.

3.    New Zealand women registered the maiden 400 plus score in ODIs

Of late, the Kiwi women have been on a rampant spree, laying waste to their opposition at will. Especially the year 2018 saw them piling up a staggering three 400 plus totals in ODIs, signifying the unparalleled hard-hitting flair that they bring to the contest. However, if we take a closer look at the long-standing domination of the Blackcaps in women’s cricket, we will be finding the roots in 1997 where they crossed the hallowed 400-run mark for the first time, also becoming the first team to register a 400-plus total in ODIs. Facing Pakistan at Christchurch, they piled on a mammoth 455 runs, thanks to a sumptuous display from the hallowed quartet of Debbie Hockley, Maia Lewis, Trudy Anderson and Clare Nicholson.

4.    Mithali Raj is one of only three cricketers to have played 6 World Cups

When it comes to women’s cricket, Mithali Raj has now become a household name. She hung her boots back in March 2022 after a long-standing career that saw her wreaking havoc in the 22 yards emphatically while also leading India through a transition that saw them surging their way through countless hindrances with their focus intact. She is the only women cricketer and the third cricketer in the history of the sport to have featured in 6 World Cups with the other two being Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad.

5.    Jhulan Goswami is one of only 7 Indian players to have registered 250 ODI wickets

Not every name that you know of can brag about the monumental fact that he or she has claimed 250 ODI scalps. In fact, the number of individuals who can actually flaunt this iconic feat in India are 7 with Jhulan Goswami being one of them. At 250 wickets, Jhulan is the only woman from India to have achieved this feat.