By Tom Decent
Trailblazing Australian cricketer Belinda Clark finds it a little funny that a new bronze statue of her just outside the SCG is positioned right where she used to eat lunch every day.
“I’ve probably got Kerry Mather [chief executive officer of Venues NSW] to thank for the actual position of it,” Clark said. “When I worked at Cricket NSW, I used to eat down here when we used to get food from the canteen, so I think it’s quite funny that I’m here eating at the canteen for the rest of time.”
Clark, who grew up playing backyard cricket in Newcastle with her brother and two sisters, was honoured before play at the SCG on Thursday morning with a historic statue just inside the entry of Gate A on Driver Avenue.
A few metres away from one of Steve Waugh, the statue of Clark playing a trademark pull shot is the world’s first sculpture of a female cricketer.
“The sculpture encapsulates being able to have a go — to be courageous, to take on those challenges and break convention,” Clark said.
Clark, who played 15 Tests and 118 one-day internationals, is just the fourth cricketer with a statue at the SCG — after Fred Spofforth, Stan McCabe and Steve Waugh — and third female, having been given the honour alongside sprinters Betty Cuthbert and Marlene Matthews.
Cricketer Belinda Clark with her new statue outside the SCG on Thursday morning.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
The 52-year-old is the 15th member of the SCG sculpture project. Other statues include Paul Kelly (AFL), Johnny Warren (soccer), Dally Messenger (rugby league and rugby) and Ken Catchpole (rugby).
The sculpture was designed by artist Cathy Weiszmann and unveiled by former governor-general Quentin Bryce in front of politicians, cricketers and members of the public popping their head in before watching Australia take on South Africa in the New Year’s Test.
Clark was flanked by a number of her former teammates and closest friends in cricket, including Mel Jones, Christina Matthews, Lisa Sthalekar, Alex Blackwell and Leah Polton.
“It was about a year ago that I started working with Cathy and it’s been quite a journey seeing it coming to life,” Clark said. “An amazing day to unveil it.
Belinda Clark (right) is joined by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and former governor-general Quentin Bryce outside the SCG.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
“The family knew [about it] because I kept dashing to Sydney to meet with Cathy and see where she was up to. Cathy looked through a whole range of images and found a couple that she thought might work and we landed on this one. She created some figurines, almost like toy soldiers … then we selected one. She’s very clever and I’m indebted to her.
“It was a little nerve-wracking to have that many people [in attendance]. Being right near the gate, they told me where they were going to put it and I was a bit nervous the crowd was going to gather and it did. It was nice people could see it and get the context for it.
“Hopefully young girls and young boys will enjoy their sport and this will be a way for them to see that sport is for everyone. Hopefully, they will be able to see that as they walk past this statue and think that anything is possible.”
Clark captained her country for 12 years — including at three World Cups — and holds the Australian women’s record for the most runs in one-day international cricket (4844 runs at an average of 47.49).
Belinda Clark during her playing days. Credit: Dallas Kilponen
She was the first cricketer — male or female — to make a double century in an ODI after crunching 229 not out from 155 balls against Denmark in 1997.
Asked who should be the next female cricketer to be honoured with a statue, Clark replied: “You could make a case for a number of people but I think it’d be great for something to be in Melbourne.
“I know there is talk about statues in Perth with Zoe Goss, who could be a very worthy recipient. Betty Wilson was a pioneer of the game.”
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