Michael Clarke

Australia|Middle order Batter
Michael Clarke
INTL CAREER: 2003 - 2015
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Full Name

Michael John Clarke

Born

April 02, 1981, Liverpool, New South Wales

Age

44y 198d

Nicknames

Pup, Clarkey

Batting Style

Right hand Bat

Bowling Style

Slow Left arm Orthodox

Playing Role

Middle order Batter

Height

1.78 m

A batter of great talent and ambition to match, Michael Clarke emerged during Australia's golden age of the 2000s, weathered the turbulent years that followed, and eventually led his side back to the top of world cricket.

At his peak Clarke was ranked the best Test batter in the world, and his cover-drives and late cuts were among the most stylish of his era. Beneath the polish was a steel that defined both his batting and his leadership as an intuitive, aggressive captain.

Clarke made an unforgettable Test debut in Bangalore in 2004, scoring a century on a turning pitch, and followed it with another on home debut in Brisbane, but consistency eluded him early on. By the end of the decade, though, he had matured into one of Australia's most complete batters, his technique as refined as his temperament was tough. Persistent back and hamstring problems plagued him but his appetite for runs was never dulled.

His peak as a batter came the year after he took over as captain from Ricky Ponting: he amassed 1595 Test runs in 2012 at an astonishing average of 106.33, including three double-centuries and a triple - 329 not out against India at the SCG - which placed him alongside Don Bradman and Wally Hammond in the record books. His 161 in Cape Town in 2014, made despite the pain of a fractured shoulder, epitomised his courage.

Clarke's captaincy was not without controversy. The "Homeworkgate" affair on the 2013 India tour, when four players were suspended for indiscipline, exposed tensions within the side. But under Clarke's leadership Australia beat England 5-0 in the 2013-14 Ashes and regained the No.1 Test ranking soon after. Later in 2014, Clarke guided a grieving team through one of its darkest moments - the death of his close friend, team-mate Phillip Hughes. His emotional hundred against India in Adelaide, scored amid tears and tributes, remains one of the most poignant innings in Australian cricket.

Clarke lifted the 2015 World Cup at the MCG, scoring a fluent 74 in the final before announcing his retirement from ODIs. His Test farewell came months later, after a 2-3 Ashes defeat in England, closing a career of 8643 Test runs at an average a whisker under 50 and 28 centuries, and leaving an enduring imprint on Australian cricket.

Although Clarke's ability and dedication could never be questioned, he struggled at times to win over sections of the public, due in part to his A-list celebrity status, sizeable endorsements, and high-profile private life. There were occasions when he was booed in his own country, and at times he was accused of being too aloof around the team environment. Still, he will be remembered as a batter of class and a captain who took the game on, and emerged with an enviable record in both spheres.

Michael Clarke Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6sCtSt
Tests115198228643329*49.101545655.922827978391340
ODIs24522344798113044.581010478.98858665531060
T20Is342854886721.21473103.17012910130
FC1883273313826329*47.02--4548--2030
List A31328552990513042.511258278.72973--1320
T20s464057376721.05681108.22015712180

Bowling

FormatMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
Tests1156524351184316/96/938.192.9178.5020
ODIs24510625852146575/355/3537.644.9845.3110
T20Is341515622561/21/237.508.6526.0000
FC188-36271886426/9-44.903.1186.3-20
List A313-32952689845/355/3532.014.8939.2110
T20s462427336891/21/240.888.0830.3000

Michael Clarke T20 Stats

Batting & Fielding

TournamentTeamsMatInnsNORunsHSAveBFSR100s50s4s6sCtSt
IPLPWI660984116.3394104.250012010
Vitality BlastHAM6601514625.16114132.450016240

Bowling

TournamentTeamsMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
IPLPWI6566672 1/12 1/1233.506.0933.0000
Vitality BlastHAM6451761 1/27 1/2776.008.9451.0000
Michael John Clarke

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Photos of Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke was inducted to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
Thisara Perera, Mohammad Nabi, Charith Asalanka, Michael Clarke, Wanindu Hasaranga and Niroshan Dickwella pose during the opening ceremony of LPL 2024
Mark Nicholas, Michael Clarke and Shane Warne talk on television
Mark Nicholas, Michael Clarke, Ian Chappell and Ian Healy sit together before the start of play
Michael Clarke and Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane share a reason to smile
Fans hold up a banner on Michael Clarke's return to grade cricket