Clarke's magnificent seven
With Michael Clarke set to retire from international cricket after the fifth Test at The Oval, we look at seven of his best performances over an 11-year-long career
Brydon Coverdale
18-Aug-2015
151 v India, Bangalore, 2004
This was where it all began when, at 23, Clarke made his Test debut. He was presented with his baggy green by the man who would become his greatest ally: Shane Warne. His first partnership was with the man who would be at the centre of one of the most talked-about incidents of Clarke's career: Simon Katich. He walked to the crease at 149 for 4 to replace the man who would become coach to captain Clarke: Darren Lehmann. Most importantly, Clarke showed that he belonged. His 151 made him the 17th Australian to score a century on Test debut, and he remains the only one to do so in India. He displayed his deft footwork against spin, and the innings defined the early part of his career. "He lived and died with every ball," Peter Roebuck wrote, "and took with him on his journey his partners, team, parents, grandparents, an entire ground and doubtless a sporting nation."
This was where it all began when, at 23, Clarke made his Test debut. He was presented with his baggy green by the man who would become his greatest ally: Shane Warne. His first partnership was with the man who would be at the centre of one of the most talked-about incidents of Clarke's career: Simon Katich. He walked to the crease at 149 for 4 to replace the man who would become coach to captain Clarke: Darren Lehmann. Most importantly, Clarke showed that he belonged. His 151 made him the 17th Australian to score a century on Test debut, and he remains the only one to do so in India. He displayed his deft footwork against spin, and the innings defined the early part of his career. "He lived and died with every ball," Peter Roebuck wrote, "and took with him on his journey his partners, team, parents, grandparents, an entire ground and doubtless a sporting nation."
151 v South Africa, Cape Town, 2011
A further 13 Test hundreds punctuated Clarke's career between his debut and his accession to the captaincy. But for the most part they were good, not great. Then, in his first series as leader, Clarke delivered a captain's hundred, an innings of 112 in Colombo to ensure a series win over Sri Lanka. In the next series came another century, against South Africa in Cape Town. Dale Steyn was in the midst of a masterclass in fast swing bowling when Clarke walked to the crease at 40 for 3. Seven of his team-mates made single-figure scores but Clarke steered the team with a brilliant 151 in their total of 284. The match is mostly remembered for Australia's disastrous second innings of 47 all out, but Clarke's century deserves to be recalled fondly.
A further 13 Test hundreds punctuated Clarke's career between his debut and his accession to the captaincy. But for the most part they were good, not great. Then, in his first series as leader, Clarke delivered a captain's hundred, an innings of 112 in Colombo to ensure a series win over Sri Lanka. In the next series came another century, against South Africa in Cape Town. Dale Steyn was in the midst of a masterclass in fast swing bowling when Clarke walked to the crease at 40 for 3. Seven of his team-mates made single-figure scores but Clarke steered the team with a brilliant 151 in their total of 284. The match is mostly remembered for Australia's disastrous second innings of 47 all out, but Clarke's century deserves to be recalled fondly.
329* v India, Sydney, 2012
To set the scene: it is late on the first day at the SCG. India have been bowled out for 191, but Australia are wobbling at 37 for 3. In walks captain Clarke to join his predecessor Ricky Ponting. They bat, and bat, and bat. Ponting falls for 134. Clarke continues to bat, and bat, and bat. For more than 10 hours he compiled runs, with India unable to dislodge him. On and on it went, until Clarke declared on 659 for 4, enough runs to set up an innings victory. His 329 not out remains the highest Test score at the SCG, and the second highest anywhere by an Australian captain. The post-script was an innings of 210 at Adelaide Oval two Tests later, which made Clarke the third man after Don Bradman and Wally Hammond to score a triple-century and a double-hundred in the same Test series.
To set the scene: it is late on the first day at the SCG. India have been bowled out for 191, but Australia are wobbling at 37 for 3. In walks captain Clarke to join his predecessor Ricky Ponting. They bat, and bat, and bat. Ponting falls for 134. Clarke continues to bat, and bat, and bat. For more than 10 hours he compiled runs, with India unable to dislodge him. On and on it went, until Clarke declared on 659 for 4, enough runs to set up an innings victory. His 329 not out remains the highest Test score at the SCG, and the second highest anywhere by an Australian captain. The post-script was an innings of 210 at Adelaide Oval two Tests later, which made Clarke the third man after Don Bradman and Wally Hammond to score a triple-century and a double-hundred in the same Test series.
259* v South Africa, Brisbane, 2012
Another season, another crisis scoreline, another rescue mission from Clarke with a mammoth hundred. This time Australia were 40 for 3 at the Gabba when Clarke joined Ed Cowan. Their partnership ended 259 runs later when Cowan was run out, but Clarke batted on to finish unbeaten on 259 when he declared the innings closed. Rain had washed out the second day, so Clarke was unable to push Australia towards victory, but equally he ensured South Africa did not have any chance of a win. He followed up with 230 in the next Test in Adelaide, which added up to four Test scores of 200-plus in the 2012 calendar year.
Another season, another crisis scoreline, another rescue mission from Clarke with a mammoth hundred. This time Australia were 40 for 3 at the Gabba when Clarke joined Ed Cowan. Their partnership ended 259 runs later when Cowan was run out, but Clarke batted on to finish unbeaten on 259 when he declared the innings closed. Rain had washed out the second day, so Clarke was unable to push Australia towards victory, but equally he ensured South Africa did not have any chance of a win. He followed up with 230 in the next Test in Adelaide, which added up to four Test scores of 200-plus in the 2012 calendar year.
187 v England, Manchester, 2013
Half a year on from his double double-hundreds against South Africa, Clarke was struggling with his back problem. He had missed a Test through injury for the first time in his career, in Delhi, and by the Ashes tour was battling to regain his sublime touch of the previous year. For the first 20 or so runs at Old Trafford, he continued to struggle. But somehow, Clarke got himself going. He used his feet to Graeme Swann and went after the short balls, and looked a different batsman. He went on to score 187 and set up a big first innings of 527 for 7 declared. A rainy final day hurt Australia's otherwise considerable victory chances, and the draw secured England the Ashes. But it had been another fine captain's innings from Clarke.
Half a year on from his double double-hundreds against South Africa, Clarke was struggling with his back problem. He had missed a Test through injury for the first time in his career, in Delhi, and by the Ashes tour was battling to regain his sublime touch of the previous year. For the first 20 or so runs at Old Trafford, he continued to struggle. But somehow, Clarke got himself going. He used his feet to Graeme Swann and went after the short balls, and looked a different batsman. He went on to score 187 and set up a big first innings of 527 for 7 declared. A rainy final day hurt Australia's otherwise considerable victory chances, and the draw secured England the Ashes. But it had been another fine captain's innings from Clarke.
161* v South Africa, Cape Town, 2014
This was Clarke at his gutsiest. A fearsome peppering of bouncers from Morne Morkel including one that, it was later revealed, had broken his shoulder, could not prevent Clarke from scoring an unbeaten 161 in the deciding Test of the series. He went to stumps on day one unbeaten on 92 and the pain prevented him from sleeping, but he completed the innings on day two and set up what became a defining victory in his captaincy career as Australia won the match, the series and reclaimed the No.1 Test ranking from South Africa.
This was Clarke at his gutsiest. A fearsome peppering of bouncers from Morne Morkel including one that, it was later revealed, had broken his shoulder, could not prevent Clarke from scoring an unbeaten 161 in the deciding Test of the series. He went to stumps on day one unbeaten on 92 and the pain prevented him from sleeping, but he completed the innings on day two and set up what became a defining victory in his captaincy career as Australia won the match, the series and reclaimed the No.1 Test ranking from South Africa.
128 v India, Adelaide, 2014
If Cape Town proved that Clarke could fight through a physical assault, Adelaide showed his remarkable mental resilience. The death of Phillip Hughes had left the cricket world in a state of shock, nobody more so than his good friend Clarke. In the days of mourning, Clarke's statesmanship made him the captain not only of the Australian cricket team, but of the country itself. No one knew quite what to expect from the rescheduled first Test at Adelaide Oval. What was delivered was truly special: an emotion-filled Australian victory that featured a string of memorable hundreds. Clarke's was remarkable - he retired hurt on 60 as his back continued to cause problems on the first day, but returned to complete a century on day two. In the aftermath, he conceded that it could have been the end of his career due to his back and hamstring troubles. But he had no regrets, and afterwards declared it "the most important Test match of my career".
If Cape Town proved that Clarke could fight through a physical assault, Adelaide showed his remarkable mental resilience. The death of Phillip Hughes had left the cricket world in a state of shock, nobody more so than his good friend Clarke. In the days of mourning, Clarke's statesmanship made him the captain not only of the Australian cricket team, but of the country itself. No one knew quite what to expect from the rescheduled first Test at Adelaide Oval. What was delivered was truly special: an emotion-filled Australian victory that featured a string of memorable hundreds. Clarke's was remarkable - he retired hurt on 60 as his back continued to cause problems on the first day, but returned to complete a century on day two. In the aftermath, he conceded that it could have been the end of his career due to his back and hamstring troubles. But he had no regrets, and afterwards declared it "the most important Test match of my career".
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale