Michael Clarke

Profile

Michael Clarke, also fondly known as 'Pup' started out fairly early in cricket, making his debut for New South Wales at 18. Paltry scores notwithstanding, Clarke’s debut was deemed good enough to earn him a scholarship from the Australian Cricket Academy and he went on to captain Australia’s Under-19 team. After slamming two consecutive centuries for NSW in 2002, he was selected for an Australia ‘A’ tour to England. Claiming the second best average in the consequent Australia ‘A’ South Africa tour, he became a hot topic for discussion in cricketing circles.

Nearing the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, Australia chose to experiment and Clarke was handed his ODI debut. He responded to the call with an unbeaten 39 helping Australia beat England by four wickets. Clarke displayed exemplary technique and seemed to enjoy himself on the bigger stage, which was uncharacteristic of someone who was barely finding his feet in international cricket. With consistent performances in ODIs, he finally earned his Test call-up in an away series to India in 2004. Pup couldn’t have asked for a tougher litmus test with Australia in a spot of bother at 4-149, with a vociferous crowd egging India on to go for the kill. But he relished the opportunity, putting up a brilliant maiden Test ton on debut, with Adam Gilchrist at the other end. His innings gave Australia a massive 1-0 lead in the four-match series, which they went on to win ending a drought of 30 long years. His dream start continued as he slammed another hundred against New Zealand and was touted as Australia’s future batting superstar.

An excellent fielder and a useful left-arm spinner, Clarke’s meteoric rise continued as he was part of Australia’s World Cup 2007 winning team and also featured in the Ashes that year. Unfortunately, Australia’s dream of a fourth successive WC win was shattered by India in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, which then resulted in Ricky Ponting’s retirement from captaincy. Clarke was immediately named Australia’s full-time captain in ODIs and Tests. However, he gave up the T20I format to concentrate on the longer formats.

Clarke broke a 76-year old record for an Australian captain to score a triple century at home in Tests, when he scored 329* against India at the SCG in 2012. He went on to have a fabulous year ahead, becoming the only Test batsman to score four double centuries in a calender year – a world record on its own!

Clarke was signed by the Pune Warriors for IPL season five, but was ruled out due to injury the following year.

Fast Facts

• Michael Clarke became the first Australian batsman in history to score a century on both home and away debuts.
• He was ICC’s ‘’Test Player of the Year’’ in 2009.

 

---

---

Career

Span: