InMobi

Stars inspired by Clark's '97 champs

Kolkata's Eden Gardens also the venue for Aussie women's World Cup success 19 years ago

The Southern Stars are drawing on the side's 1997 World Cup win in Kolkata as they prepare to chase a fourth straight World Twenty20 crown.

Eden Gardens has hosted no shortage of epic matches and memorable moments.

WATCH: Random facts about the Southern Stars players

VVS Laxman's 281, which delivered India a Test win after Steve Waugh enforced the follow-on with his all-conquering Australians, came at the famed venue in 2001.

Rohit Sharma's 264 in 2014 remains an ODI record that is unlikely to be broken soon, while Waugh was part of an Australian XI that defeated England at the venue in the 1987 World Cup final.

The ground was also the scene of the Southern Stars' World Cup final triumph over New Zealand in 1997.

Reports at the time suggested a crowd of approximately 80,000 watched the game.

Quick Single: Australia chasing World T20 history

"We know this is a popular place for Australians, especially the women's team," Alex Blackwell said on the eve of Sunday's final.

"We won a World Cup here in 1997, led by Belinda Clark, and she sends her well wishes and reminds us about this being a home to Australians, despite being a long way away.

"The ex-players that we draw inspiration from are people like Belinda Clark. She has led Australia to World Cup victories in the past and she's always sending her best regards to us as a team.

Quick Single: Aussies expecting the unexpected from Windies

"Especially to Meg (Lanning) and myself as leaders, she's offering her support and advice to keep backing ourselves and trust our work."

The men's and women's one-day World Cups have never been hosted simultaneously.

In sharp contrast, this is the fifth edition of the women's World T20, with all five having been staged alongside the men's showpiece.

That trend will end in 2018, when the West Indies host a stand-alone women's T20 championship.

"It's fantastic to play alongside the men in the T20 World Cup. We've done that since 2009 and I was part of that first World Cup," Blackwell said.

"I'd like to see us continue to play alongside the men's tournament.

"One thing that's really special, you look at the way West Indies have had both teams progress through, that's something we really aim for as an Australian team."