From Clark to Edwards – women who made World Cup history

Starting June 24, the eight best teams in women’s cricket will battle for the ICC Women’s World Cup. It will be a chance for another generation to etch their names in history, joining some incredible cricketers from the past. We look at five such World Cup legends who have left their mark on the game, especially on the biggest stage.

1. Belinda Clark (Australia)

Leading Australia in the most number of World Cup matches as captain (23), Belinda Clark won two titles in her reign, in 1997 and 2005, losing to New Zealand in the 2000 final. But that’s not only why she’s at the top of this list. Her record feat of scoring 229* in the 1997 World Cup group fixture against Denmark in Mumbai is the highest individual score in a Women’s World Cup match and in women’s ODIs. It is also the second-highest individual score in a World Cup match, behind Martin Guptill’s 237* against the West Indies in Wellington at the 2015 World Cup.

Clark is also the leading run-scorer for Australia in the tournament, with 1151 runs in 29 matches and features fourth on the list of overall leading run-scorers.

2. Debbie Hockley (New Zealand)

The current New Zealand Cricket president leads both the run-scorers’ charts and has played the most number of matches in the World Cup. In 45 matches, Hockley, a successful ODI batter, scored 1501 runs with two centuries and was named Player of the Match in the 1997 final for her 79, although it came in a loss to Australia.

Over her stellar 21-year career, Hockley has featured in five World Cups, reaching three finals and winning the title on her final attempt in 2000, beating Australia.

3. Janette Brittin (England)

Dependable England opener, Janette Brittin, carved her name into the annals of World Cup history when she became the first woman to score 1000 runs in World Cups with her 48 in the 1993 final at Lord’s against New Zealand. She sealed England’s second world title at that time (England went on to become world champions in 2009) with the catch of the No. 11 Catherine Campbell.

Brittin is also England’s leading run-scorer in World Cups with 1299, including four centuries in 36 matches.

4. Lynette Ann Fullston (Australia)

The leading wicket-taker in World Cups with 39 scalps to her name, Lyn Fullston was a wily left-arm spinner in her day and was part of two successful World Cup-winning squads in 1982 and 1988 in her six-year career. She also topped the wicket-takers’ charts in both those tournaments with her best ODI figures of 5 for 27 coming in a group fixture against New Zealand in the 1982 tournament. Her achievements seem remarkable when put against the backdrop of her representing Australia in netball as well.

5. Charlotte Edwards (England)

Four months after her ODI debut against South Africa in Bristol, Charlotte Edwards smashed an unbeaten 173 against Ireland in Pune in 1997 and was the record holder for the highest individual score in Women’s World Cup matches and women’s ODIs until Clark’s feat against Denmark.

But that was just the start of Edwards’ legacy in World Cups. The former England captain has been part of five World Cups and has scored 1231 runs in 30 matches, was captain in 14 of those matches and led England to its third title, beating New Zealand in the 2009 final in Sydney.