As a young man Michael Clarke could do anything with the bat, but he has matured into one of the game's most professional, reliable and focussed players. Clarke learned a year into his Test career that he had to shed the flourishes that made him a golden child in order to shine consistently at elite level. Breathtaking centuries on debut away and at home stamped him as a shot-maker to savour, but he is now a calculated player who is his country's most effective run-maker in the five-day game.
While he could clear boundaries and loft regular fours as a youngster, Clarke's main modern method is to find gaps by caressing the ball along the ground, although he will pull off the front foot when settled. In Tests he has the potential to develop into a master by the end of his career, having taken over the team's No.1 rating from Ricky Ponting in 2009, even though he has batted at five in most appearances. At one-day level he is extremely accomplished and a highly valued member, but in Twenty20 a lack of power stands out along with astute captaincy.
Since Shane Warne, Clarke has been Australia's A-list cricketer, a boy from Sydney's working-class west who became a celebrity thanks to his ready smile, large endorsements and a high-profile engagement to a model. After the relationship broke down early in 2010, Clarke displayed his impressive ability to compartmentalise his life by scoring a hundred at his first chance in New Zealand. Proving he could deal with such a taxing situation and retain a clear head in the middle is one reason why he has been lined up to replace Ponting as leader whenever he retires.
In the field Clarke's throw is as fast and accurate as anything in the game, and he can winkle out batsmen with his disarming left-arm spin. Mostly he is known for his immaculate driving and slicing of the ball through impossible angles. The next step towards fulfilment is a full-time move to No.3, another promotion which depends on Ponting's longevity.
While he could clear boundaries and loft regular fours as a youngster, Clarke's main modern method is to find gaps by caressing the ball along the ground, although he will pull off the front foot when settled. In Tests he has the potential to develop into a master by the end of his career, having taken over the team's No.1 rating from Ricky Ponting in 2009, even though he has batted at five in most appearances. At one-day level he is extremely accomplished and a highly valued member, but in Twenty20 a lack of power stands out along with astute captaincy.
Since Shane Warne, Clarke has been Australia's A-list cricketer, a boy from Sydney's working-class west who became a celebrity thanks to his ready smile, large endorsements and a high-profile engagement to a model. After the relationship broke down early in 2010, Clarke displayed his impressive ability to compartmentalise his life by scoring a hundred at his first chance in New Zealand. Proving he could deal with such a taxing situation and retain a clear head in the middle is one reason why he has been lined up to replace Ponting as leader whenever he retires.
In the field Clarke's throw is as fast and accurate as anything in the game, and he can winkle out batsmen with his disarming left-arm spin. Mostly he is known for his immaculate driving and slicing of the ball through impossible angles. The next step towards fulfilment is a full-time move to No.3, another promotion which depends on Ponting's longevity.
Full name Michael John Clarke
Born April 2, 1981, Liverpool, New South Wales
Current age 29 years 246 days
Major teams Australia, Hampshire, New South Wales
Nickname Pup, Clarkey
Playing role Middle order batsman
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox
Height 1.78 m
Born April 2, 1981, Liverpool, New South Wales
Current age 29 years 246 days
Major teams Australia, Hampshire, New South Wales
Nickname Pup, Clarkey
Playing role Middle order batsman
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox
Height 1.78 m
Batting and fielding averages
Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 65 106 12 4558 168 48.48 8575 53.15 14 19 498 19 66 0
ODIs 182 166 36 5722 130 44.01 7348 77.87 5 43 473 32 69 0
T20Is 34 28 5 488 67 21.21 473 103.17 0 1 29 10 13 0
First-class 125 213 21 8738 201* 45.51 29 34 124 0
List A 247 225 44 7540 130 41.65 9715 77.61 6 57 93 0
Twenty20 40 34 5 639 67 22.03 587 108.85 0 1 45 12 17 0
Bowling averages
Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 65 41 1684 809 21 6/9 6/9 38.52 2.88 80.1 0 1 0
ODIs 182 83 2240 1888 52 5/35 5/35 36.30 5.05 43.0 1 1 0
T20Is 34 15 156 225 6 1/2 1/2 37.50 8.65 26.0 0 0 0
First-class 125 2864 1497 32 6/9 46.78 3.13 89.5 1 0
List A 247 2936 2424 77 5/35 5/35 31.48 4.95 38.1 1 1 0
Twenty20 40 19 207 301 7 1/2 1/2 43.00 8.72 29.5 0 0 0
Career statistics
Test debut India v Australia at Bangalore, Oct 6-10, 2004
Last Test Australia v England at Brisbane, Nov 25-29, 2010
ODI debut Australia v England at Adelaide, Jan 19, 2003
Last ODI Australia v Sri Lanka at Brisbane, Nov 7, 2010
T20I debut New Zealand v Australia at Auckland, Feb 17, 2005
Last T20I Australia v Sri Lanka at Perth, Oct 31, 2010 scorecard First-class debut 1999/00
Last First-class Australia v England at Brisbane, Nov 25-29, 2010
List A debut 2000/01
Last List A Australia v Sri Lanka at Brisbane, Nov 7, 2010
Twenty20 debut Essex v Hampshire at Chelmsford, Jul 2, 2004
Last Twenty20 Australia v Sri Lanka at Perth, Oct 31, 2010
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