On Thursday, Belinda Clark, a great Australian female cricketer, became the first female player to be memorialised with a sculpture in the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) area.
Before the second day of the third men's Test match against South Africa on Thursday, the bronze statue of Clark was unveiled at the gateway to the SCG's Walk of Honour.
On the morning of Day 2 of the SCG Test, the sculpture was unveiled by The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce and the Premier of New South Wales, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP.
The sculpture is thought to be the first such honour given to a female cricket player anywhere in the globe. Early in 2021, it was revealed that the SCG would house the statue. She now joins an exclusive group of 73 men cricket players who are honoured with precinct statutes.
The player's name whose statue will be included wasn't revealed until Thursday.
Clark, a World Cup champion and former captain of Australia, has received congratulations from Cricket Australia for receiving this honour.
As captain and batsman for Australia, Clark amassed an impressive record, with 4844 One Day International runs at 47.49, the first double century in Women's ODI cricket, and 919 Test runs at 45.95, including two centuries in 15 Tests.
She led Australia to World Cup victories in 1997 and 2005 while serving as captain for 12 years and 101 games.
She is one of five cricketers honoured with sculptures in the SCG precinct, along with Steve Waugh, Stan McCabe, Richie Benaud, and Fred Spofforth.
"I am beyond happy that Belinda Clark has been honoured with a sculpture in the SCG precinct and becomes the first female cricketer to receive this recognition," said Nick Hockley, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australia.
"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," he said.