The Australia legend is immortalised in bronze outside the historic venue, becoming the first female cricketer to be given a statue in the world
Belinda Clark has become the first female cricketer in the world to be honoured with a statue.
Immortalised in bronze, she joins the likes of Richie Benaud, Steve Waugh, Stan McCabe and Fred Spofforth outside the historic Sydney Cricket Ground's Walk of Honour.
News a statue of the first female cricketer had been commissioned was announced in 2021 but the identity had remained a secret until the unveiling.
The tribute was revealed ahead of day two of the second men's Test between Australia and South Africa.
"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," Clark said.
Clark was a pioneering cricket for Australia (Getty Images)
"The sculpture encapsulates being able to have a go – to be courageous, to take on those challenges and break convention.
"I want people to take away that you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it and you have good people around you, and I think I've been very fortunate to have had great support and have a bit of an imagination to take my game where I wanted to take it, and hopefully the sport is in a better place for it."
An undeniable legend of the sport, Clark played 15 Tests, 118 one-day internationals and a single T20I during an illustrious playing career for Australia.
She captained her country to two World Cup wins in 1997 and 2005 and successful Ashes defences in 1998, 2001 and 2002/03.
In December 1997, Clark broke new ground by registering the first ODI double-century - 13 years before the first man. Her 229 not out against Denmark in Mumbai has only been surpassed by one woman - New Zealand's Amelia Kerr in 2018.
Clark was the scourge of England during the late 90s and early 2000s (Darren England/Getty Images)
Despite being retired since 2005, the now 52-year-old remains Australia women's leading ODI run-scorer with 4,844 and is second in Tests with 919.
Since 2002, Australia's leading female cricketer has been annually honoured with the Belinda Clark Award, with Ashleigh Gardner being the most recent recipient.
Inducted into the ICC hall of fame in 2011, she entered the Australia cricket equivalent three years later.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: "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.
"On behalf of Australian Cricket, I would like to congratulate Belinda whose sculpture will stand very proudly alongside all the other sporting greats recognised in the SCG precinct."
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