View source for Michael Clarke (cricketer)

{{short description|Australian cricketer}}
{{distinguish|Michael Clarke (Barbadian cricketer)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|                name = Michael Clarke
|    honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO}}
|               image = Pm cricket shots09 5995.jpg
|             caption = Clarke in 2009
|             country = Australia
|            fullname = Michael John Clarke
|            nickname = Pup
|          birth_date = {{Birth-date and age|2 April 1981}}
|         birth_place = [[Liverpool, New South Wales]], Australia
|              height = 178cm<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Clarke|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/teams/australia-men/the-squad/michael-clarke|work=cricket.com.au|publisher=[[Cricket Australia]]|access-date=15 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116110736/http://www.cricket.com.au/teams/australia-men/the-squad/michael-clarke|archive-date=16 January 2014}}</ref>
|             batting = Right-handed
|             bowling = [[Slow left-arm orthodox]]
|                role = [[Batting order (cricket)#Middle order|Middle-order batter]]
|       international = true
|   internationalspan = 2003–2015
|       testdebutdate = 6 October
|       testdebutyear = 2004
|    testdebutagainst = India
|             testcap = 389
|        lasttestdate = 20 August
|        lasttestyear = 2015
|     lasttestagainst = England
|        odidebutdate = 19 January
|        odidebutyear = 2003
|     odidebutagainst = England
|              odicap = 149
|         lastodidate = 29 March
|         lastodiyear = 2015
|      lastodiagainst = New Zealand
|            odishirt = 23 (previously 49)
|       T20Idebutdate = 17 February
|       T20Idebutyear = 2005
|    T20Idebutagainst = New Zealand
|             T20Icap = 1
|        lastT20Idate = 31 October
|        lastT20Iyear = 2010
|     lastT20Iagainst = Sri Lanka
|           T20Ishirt = 23
|               club1 = [[New South Wales cricket team|New South Wales]]
|               year1 = {{nowrap|1999/00–2013/14}}
|               club2 = [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]]
|               year2 = 2004
|               club3 = [[Pune Warriors India]]
|               year3 = 2012
|             columns = 4
|             column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|            matches1 = 115
|               runs1 = 8,643
|            bat avg1 = 49.10
|           100s/50s1 = 28/27
|          top score1 = 329[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries1 = 2,435
|            wickets1 = 31
|           bowl avg1 = 38.19
|            fivefor1 = 2
|             tenfor1 = 0
|       best bowling1 = 6/9
|  catches/stumpings1 = 134/–
|             column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|            matches2 = 245
|               runs2 = 7,981
|            bat avg2 = 44.58
|           100s/50s2 = 8/58
|          top score2 = 130
|         deliveries2 = 2,585
|            wickets2 = 57
|           bowl avg2 = 37.64
|            fivefor2 = 1
|             tenfor2 = 0
|       best bowling2 = 5/35
|  catches/stumpings2 = 106/–
|             column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|            matches3 = 188
|               runs3 = 13,826
|            bat avg3 = 47.02
|           100s/50s3 = 45/48
|          top score3 = 329[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries3 = 3,627
|            wickets3 = 42
|           bowl avg3 = 44.90
|            fivefor3 = 2
|             tenfor3 = 0
|       best bowling3 = 6/9
|  catches/stumpings3 = 203/–
|             column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|            matches4 = 313
|               runs4 = 9,905
|            bat avg4 = 42.51
|           100s/50s4 = 9/73
|          top score4 = 130
|         deliveries4 = 3,295
|            wickets4 = 84
|           bowl avg4 = 32.01
|            fivefor4 = 1
|             tenfor4 = 0
|       best bowling4 = 5/35
|  catches/stumpings4 = 132/–
|                date = 2 April
|                year = 2019
|              source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4578.html ESPNcricinfo
| medaltemplates =  <!-- MENTION HOST NAMES FOR TEAM SPORTS -->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry |{{AUS}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 West Indies]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2015 Cricket World Cup|2015 Australia and New Zealand]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC T20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2010 ICC World Twenty20|2010 West Indies]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Champions Trophy]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2006 ICC Champions Trophy|2006 India]]|}}
}}

'''Michael John Clarke''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}} (born 2 April 1981) is an Australian former [[cricket]]er. He was [[List of Australia national cricket captains|captain]] of the [[Australia national cricket team|Australian cricket team]] in both [[Test cricket|Test]] and [[One Day International]] (ODI) between 2011 and 2015, leading Australia to victory in the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]]. He also served as captain of the [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) side between 2007 and 2010. With his time representing Australia, Clarke won multiple ICC titles with the team: the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]] which he was the winning captain, and the [[2006 ICC Champions Trophy]].

Nicknamed "Pup",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/martin-crowe-michael-clarke-has-growing-up-to-do-2011121317|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309223514/http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/martin-crowe-michael-clarke-has-growing-up-to-do-2011121317|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 March 2016|title=Martin Crowe: Michael Clarke has 'growing up to do'|newspaper=Newshub|access-date=3 March 2016|last1=Summerfield |first1=Shaun }}</ref> Clarke was a right-handed middle-order [[batsman]], an occasional [[left-arm orthodox spin]] bowler and also a [[Slip (cricket)|slip]] catcher. He represented [[New South Wales Cricket Team|New South Wales]] at a domestic level.

Clarke retired from all forms of cricket after the final Test of the [[2015 Ashes series]].

==Early life and career==
Clarke was born and raised in [[Liverpool, New South Wales]].<ref name=liverpool>{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolchampion.com.au/story/1956233/liverpool-boy-michael-clarke-the-man-of-steel/|title=Liverpool boy Michael Clarke, the man of steel|work=liverpoolchampion.com.au|date=6 December 2013|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> He attended Marsden Road Public School and cultivated his batting skills at his father's indoor cricket centre in Liverpool after school.<ref name="liverpool" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXHMHWNE0vE&t=134s|title=Guess What?! Episode 5: Peter Siddle, Andrew Tye & the tall and short of umpiring|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=[[Cricket Australia]]|date=3 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref> Despite being a left handed person who writes and bowls with his left hand, Clarke trained to bat right handed . His junior club was the [[Western Suburbs District Cricket Club]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/michael-clarke-will-make-his-cricket-comeback-at-pratten-park-in-ashfield-worlds-away-from-the-scg/news-story/030395c162fa3ae9f8409baa8582c8b1|title=Michael Clarke will make his cricket comeback at Pratten Park in Ashfield worlds away from the SCG|work=dailytelegraph.com.au|date=1 February 2016|access-date=29 December 2021|url-access=subscription|quote=... to play for his junior club, the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club.}}</ref>

When Clarke was 17, scans revealed that he had three [[Degenerative disc disease|degenerative discs]] in his lower back, a condition that would restrict his back movement through his career. Clarke underwent core strengthening exercises to ease this condition.<ref name="back disc"/>

Clarke made his first-class debut for New South Wales as a seventeen-year-old in a game [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 1999–2000|against the touring Indian side]] at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] in December 1999.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eyre|first1=Rick|title=Kumble, Ramesh keep Indian hopes alive|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/78754.html|access-date=14 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=3 December 1999}}</ref> He was an AIS [[Australian Cricket Academy]] scholarship holder in 1999–2000.<ref>{{cite book|title=Excellence: The Australian Institute of Sport|year=2002|publisher=Australian Sports Commission|location=Canberra}}</ref> In 2002, Clarke played for Ramsbottom Cricket Club in English club cricket. He became the first player to hit a double century in the history of the [[Lancashire League (cricket)|Lancashire League]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Henry |first=Matt |date=10 April 2020 |title=Young Pup: When Michael Clarke spent a summer at Ramsbottom CC |url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-features/young-pup-when-michael-clarke-spent-a-summer-at-ramsbottom-cc |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=wisden.com}}</ref>

==International career==
===Early years===
Clarke made his [[One Day International]] debut in January 2003 against [[England cricket team|England]] at [[Adelaide Oval]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/vb-series-2002-03-61122/australia-vs-england-11th-match-65639/full-scorecard|title=11th Match (D/N), Adelaide, January 19, 2003, VB Series|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Clarke made his [[Test cricket|Test]] debut at [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]] in [[Bangalore]] in October 2004, in the first Test match of Australia's [[Australian cricket team in India in 2004–05|2004 tour of India]]. In his first innings, Clarke batted with good footwork against India's bowlers. He was not confident that he could read India's spin bowler [[Anil Kumble]]'s deliveries, so he moved to the pitch of the ball to eliminate the spin. He scored 151 runs and was named the player of the match in Australia's win.<ref name="roebuck">{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pup-s-a-brand-new-dog-371827|title=Pup's a brand new dog|last=Roebuck|first=Peter|date=1 October 2008|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref name="kimber">{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/michael-clarke-a-battle-for-greatness-and-love-908005|title=Michael Clarke: a battle for greatness and love|last=Kimber|first=Jarrod|date=8 August 2015|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2004-05-61430/india-vs-australia-1st-test-64099/full-scorecard|title=1st Test, Bengaluru, October 06–10, 2004, Australia tour of India|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He continued to play well for the rest of the tour. Despite not being considered a strong bowler, he bowled in fourth Test match at [[Wankhede Stadium]] in [[Mumbai]] and took six wickets for nine runs.<ref name="roebuck"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2004-05-61430/india-vs-australia-4th-test-64102/full-scorecard|title=4th Test, Wankhede, November 03–05, 2004, Australia tour of India|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This remained the best bowling performance of his Test career until he retired.

The Australian team returned home in November 2004 and Clarke played his first home Test match [[New Zealand cricket team in Australia in 2004–05|against New Zealand]] at [[The Gabba]] in [[Brisbane]]. He scored another century, finishing with 141 runs, and was again named player of the match.<ref name="roebuck"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-australia-2004-05-62089/australia-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-64107/full-scorecard|title=1st Test, Brisbane, November 18–21, 2004, New Zealand tour of Australia|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> After his early success in the team, Clarke began to struggle and didn't score another century in the following six Test series he played.<ref name="kimber"/> His struggles began in the [[2005 Ashes series]] in England. He played a strong innings in the 1st Test match at [[Lord's cricket ground|Lord's]] in July 2005, reaching 91 quickly. England responded with defensive bowling tactics to slow him down, and Clarke tried to improvise with aggressive shots and was dismissed.<ref name="roebuck"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-england-and-scotland-2005-139019/england-vs-australia-1st-test-213856/full-scorecard|title=1st Test, Lord's, July 21–24, 2005, Australia tour of England and Scotland|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Clarke's form dropped after this innings, and he struggled to score runs for the rest of the year. He stayed in the team until November 2005, during Australia's series [[West Indies cricket team in Australia in 2005–06|against the West Indies]]. In the first Test match at [[Bellerive Oval]] in [[Hobart]], Clarke was dismissed for 5 runs while playing a loose stroke in the first innings, and he did not bat in the second innings. He was dropped from the team following this match.<ref name="roebuck"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-australia-2005-06-209670/australia-vs-west-indies-2nd-test-226120/full-scorecard|title=2nd Test, Hobart, November 17–21, 2005, West Indies tour of Australia|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

[[File:Clarke playing cricket at Birmingham 2009 crop.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Clarke batting for Australia in 2009]]

===Return to international cricket===
After being dropped from the national team at the end of 2005, Clarke focused on changing his batting technique to tighten his defence and play with a straighter bat. He performed well in Australian domestic cricket and returned to the national team in 2006.<ref name="roebuck"/> His initial return came in Australia's first ever [[Australian cricket team in Bangladesh in 2005–06|tour of Bangladesh]] in April 2006, but after this tour he was dropped again.<ref name="kimber"/> He next returned to the team for the [[2006–07 Ashes series]] when [[Shane Watson]] was injured and unable to play. He scored centuries in back-to-back matches in the second and third Tests at Adelaide Oval and the [[WACA Ground|WACA]] which would cement his place in the team.<ref name="kimber"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-australia-2006-07-227733/australia-vs-england-2nd-test-249223/full-scorecard|title=2nd Test, Adelaide, December 01–05, 2006, England tour of Australia|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-australia-2006-07-227733/australia-vs-england-3rd-test-249224/full-scorecard|title=3rd Test, Perth, December 14–18, 2006, England tour of Australia|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Clarke then helped Australia retain the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] in the [[West Indies]] where they did not lose a game. After [[Damien Martyn]]'s retirement he was elevated to number five in the batting line up. He had a superb tournament making four 50s including a 92 and a 93* against the [[Netherlands cricket team|Netherlands]] and South Africa. He also made an unbeaten 60 against South Africa in the semi-final to guide Australia into the final at Barbados, against Sri Lanka. He was named as 12th man in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo for the 2007 World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/and-the-winners-are-292881|title=And the winners are ...|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; width:50%;"
|-
! colspan="7" |'''Clarke's results in international matches'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / MJ Clarke/Test matches|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303223345/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting|archive-date=3 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
|&nbsp;||Matches||Won||Lost||Drawn||Tied||No result
|-
|Test<ref>{{cite web|title=MJ Clarke Test Matches|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108132240/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dallround|archive-date=8 January 2016}}</ref> ||115||64||32||19||0||-
|-
|ODI<ref>{{cite web|title=MJ Clarke One-Day Internationals|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=2;template=results;type=allround|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=9 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108132240/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=2%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dallround|archive-date=8 January 2016}}</ref> ||245||167||64||-||1||13
|-
|T20I<ref>{{cite web|title=MJ Clarke Twenty20 Internationals|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=3;template=results;type=allround|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206165104/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4578.html?class=3%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dallround|archive-date=6 December 2014}}</ref> ||34||18||14||–||1||1
|-
|colspan=2|''Last Updated:''
|colspan=5|23 August 2015
|}

===Struggle in form===
Clarke faced only four balls for three runs in the [[ICC World Twenty20]], when Australia were knocked out by India in the semi-final. Two weeks later he made 130 against India in the first of a seven-match ODI series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 1st ODI 2007 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14218/scorecard/297793/india-vs-australia-1st-odi-australia-tour-of-india-2007-08|access-date=24 September 2020|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> He did not maintain that form in the remaining 6 matches mustering up just one fifty. He opened the batting in the final two games after a hip injury ruled out [[Matthew Hayden]] and he made two [[duck (cricket)|golden ducks]]. In the tour-ending [[Twenty20]] match Clarke dropped back down the order with the return of Hayden, and scored 25 not out in a heavy defeat.
[[File:Michael Clarke batting at the Oval, 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Michael Clarke on his way to 99* against England at the Oval in 2010]]

On 9 November 2007, Clarke notched up his fifth Test century against Sri Lanka in a two Test series. Clarke shared a 245 run partnership with [[Mike Hussey]] at the [[The Gabba|Gabba]] in Brisbane, Hussey departed on 133 but Clarke went on and had a partnership with Symonds who made 53*, the pair were unbeaten when [[Ricky Ponting]] declared the innings, Clarke top scoring with 145 not out.

On 6 January 2008, Clarke dismissed [[Harbhajan Singh]], [[RP Singh]] and [[Ishant Sharma]] in the second last over of the day, with just six minutes remaining, to claim the final three wickets and win the Test match for Australia (at one stage he was on a hat trick, dismissing Harbhajan Singh and RP Singh on consecutive deliveries).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Australia clinch thriller to equal record|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14141/report/291352/australia-vs-india-2nd-test-india-tour-of-australia-2007-08|access-date=24 September 2020|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|quote=With only six minutes to spare as the shadows lengthened Michael Clarke picked up the last three wickets from only five balls as Australia sneaked home.}}</ref> His innings figures were 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs. Australian captain [[Ricky Ponting]] had declared that morning, setting India a total of 333 to chase and allowing Australia arguably too little time to bowl out the visitors. Clarke's wickets ensured that Australia retained the [[Border–Gavaskar Trophy]] in 2008 and kept their world record equalling 16 match win streak alive.

===Vice captaincy===
[[File:Pm cricket shots09 5997.jpg|right|thumb|Clarke with [[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]] in 2009.]]
After the retirement of [[Adam Gilchrist]], in April 2008 Clarke was named vice-captain of the Australian side.<ref>{{cite web|last=Christian |first=By |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/clarke-gets-vice-captain-role/story-e6frey50-1111115946279 |title=Clarke gets vice-captain role|work=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|date=2 April 2008 |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> Clarke missed the start of [[Australian cricket team in the West Indies in 2008|Australia's 2008 tour of the West Indies]] following the death of Bingle's father, meaning Hussey took over as vice-captain for the start of the tour. {{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} Soon after Clarke joined up with the squad, he scored a century in the second Test in Antigua, going on to captain the side in the final two One Day Internationals, both of which were won, in the absence through injury of Ponting.

He was named man of the series in the two-Test series against New Zealand in Australia with scores of 110, 98 and 10, as well as being the top run-scorer in the three-Test series against South Africa in Australia.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} Clarke won the 2009 Allan Border Medal in a tie with Ricky Ponting both scoring 41 points, and was named Test Cricketer of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 February 2009|title=Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke tie for Allan Border Medal|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/ponting-clarke-tie-for-allan-border-medal/news-story/bfd8e4615ae006f6f44c8ea50050354c|access-date=24 September 2020|website=NewsComAu|language=en}}</ref> For his performances in 2009, he was named in the World Test XI by the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/johnson-and-gambhir-scoop-top-awards-427665|title=Johnson and Gambhir scoop top awards|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

===Captaincy===
On 5 December 2007, Cricket Australia named Clarke as captain of Australia for their one-off Twenty20 game against New Zealand in Perth, after deciding to rest Ponting and Hayden.<ref name="mccapt">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cricketworld.com/internationalcricketnews/australia/article/?aid=14055|title=Noffke Drafted In, Clarke Named Captain for Twenty20|website=Cricketworld.com|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan="8"|'''Michael Clarke's record as captain'''
|-
|&nbsp;||Matches||Won||Lost||Drawn||Tied||No result||Win %
|-
|Test<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Captains |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=1;id=2;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016212319/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=1%3Bid%3D2%3Btype%3Dteam |archive-date=16 October 2015 }}</ref> ||47||24||16||7||0||–||51.06%
|-
|ODI<ref>{{cite web|title=List of ODI Captains|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=2;id=2;type=team|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=9 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108132241/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=2%3Bid%3D2%3Btype%3Dteam|archive-date=8 January 2016}}</ref> ||74||50||21||-||-||3||67.57%
|-
|T20I<ref>{{cite web|title=List of T20I Captains|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=3;id=2;type=team|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206165117/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/engine/records/individual/list_captains.html?class=3%3Bid%3D2%3Btype%3Dteam|archive-date=6 December 2014}}</ref> ||18||12||4||–||1||1||66.67%
|}

Clarke was named as captain of Australia's Twenty20 side in October 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/michael-clarke-offially-appointed-captain-of-australia-twenty20-side/story-e6freon6-1225787670951 |title= Michael Clarke offially appointed captain of Australia Twenty20 side |work= The Courier Mail |date= 16 October 2009 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/16/michael-clarke-australia-twenty20 |title= Michael Clarke appointed as Australia Twenty20 captain |work= The Guardian |date= 16 October 2009 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref> taking over from [[Ricky Ponting]], who retired from Twenty20 International cricket to prolong his career.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/07/ricky-ponting-twenty20-retire |title= Ricky Ponting retires from Twenty20 internationals |work= The Guardian |date= 7 September 2009 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://au.sports.yahoo.com/cricket/a/5952822/ricky-ponting-retires-from-international-twenty20-cricket/ |title= Ricky Ponting retires from international Twenty20 cricket |work= Yahoo |date= 7 September 2009 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref> In January 2011, Clarke was named as stand-in captain for the fifth Test of the [[2010–11 Ashes Series]] at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]], replacing the injured Ricky Ponting. He announced his retirement from [[Twenty20 International]] cricket on 7 January 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/clarke-quits-as-australias-twenty20-captain-as-england-completes-ashes-humiliation-20110107-19i3n.html |title=Michael Clarke Quits Twenty20. Michael Clarke Quits T20 Cricket |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=7 January 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> to concentrate on the longer forms of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/495742.html |title=Australian news: Michael Clarke quits Twenty20, Cameron White is new captain. Australia Cricket News |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> When Ponting stood down from the captaincy of the Australian Test and ODI sides after the [[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011 World Cup]], Clarke was appointed as his permanent replacement in both roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56041920110401|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108132241/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56041920110401|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2016|title=Clarke needs to improve his man-management – Warne|date=1 April 2011|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref>

His knock of 151 against South Africa at Cape Town was nominated to be one of the best Test batting performance of the year 2011 by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2011/content/story/548054.html|title=Dravid's epics and other heroic tales|date=11 January 2012|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

In January 2012, in the second Test of Australia's [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2011–12|home series]] against India and after a string of Test centuries since becoming captain, Clarke became the first Australian batsman since Matthew Hayden in 2003 to score a triple hundred.  He joined with Ricky Ponting (134) in a partnership of 288, then added 334 with Michael Hussey (150*) before declaring on 329*, having started his innings with the score at 37/3.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/518951.html India tour of Australia, 2nd Test: Australia v India at Sydney, 3–6 Jan 2012]. ''ESPNcricinfo''. (6 January 2012). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> This match against India was the 100th Test to be played at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], and Clarke's score was both the highest ever made in an Australia-India Test (surpassing [[V. V. S. Laxman]]'s 281 from the 2000/01 season) and the highest ever achieved at the ground.  The ground high score record had been held for more than a century by Englishman [[R. E. Foster|Reg "Tip" Foster]]'s 287 scored in the 1903/04 season.<ref name="High Score">{{cite news|last = Jackson|first = Glenn|date = 5 January 2012|title = Advantage Australia as Clarke's triple ton puts hosts in box seat|url = http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/advantage-australia-as-clarkes-triple-ton-puts-hosts-in-box-seat-20120105-1pm0m.html|newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date = 5 January 2012}}</ref> Clarke led Australia to a 4–0 win and was named the player of the series,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/clarkes-declaration-bring-on-the-ashes-20120128-1qn1j.html|title=Clarke's declaration: Bring on the Ashes|last=Barrett|first=Chris|date=29 January 2012|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> having scored 626 runs at an average of 125.20.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=6636;type=series |title=Records / Border–Gavaskar Trophy, 2011/12 / Most runs |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211175911/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=6636%3Btype%3Dseries |archive-date=11 February 2012 }}</ref> His knock was nominated to be one of the best Test batting performance of the year by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2012/content/story/600004.html|title=The Kevin and Hashim Show|date=10 January 2013|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> He joined his triple century in Sydney with a double-century (210) in the first innings of the fourth Test in [[Adelaide]]. His 386-run partnership with Ponting (who scored 221) was the fourth-highest in Australian Test history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/clarke-ponting-double-up-in-adelaide-runfest-20120125-1qgw5.html|title=Clarke, Ponting double up in Adelaide run-fest|date=25 January 2012|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> Following the [[Frank Worrell Trophy]] 2012, [[Ian Chappell]] said Clarke "is quickly establishing a well-deserved reputation for brave and aggressive captaincy. His entertaining approach is based on one premise: trying to win the match from the opening delivery. This should be the aim of all international captains, but sadly it isn't."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/562068.html |title=Captains: follow Clarke's lead|work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 July 2012}}</ref>

On 22 November 2012, Clarke scored a double century against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2012/engine/current/match/573008.html |title= South Africa in Australia Test Series – 2nd Test | publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>

Three weeks before the [[2013 Ashes series]], Clarke requested to stand down from his role as a selector,<ref>{{cite web|last=Brettig|first=Daniel|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/standing-down-as-selector-one-of-best-things-i-ve-done-676605|title='Standing down as selector one of best things I've done' – Clarke|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 October 2013|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> which also coincided with the sacking of coach [[Mickey Arthur]] and the naming of [[Darren Lehmann]] as his successor. After losing the 2013 Ashes in England, Clarke led Australia to a 5–0 victory in the [[2013–14 Ashes series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-you-beauty-its-a-whitewash-in-the-ashes/story-fnkc9h32-1226795216772 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105091324/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-you-beauty-its-a-whitewash-in-the-ashes/story-fnkc9h32-1226795216772 |title=Australia you beauty: It's a whitewash in The Ashes |author=Jeffery, Nicole |work=The Australian |date=5 January 2014 |archive-date=5 January 2014 |access-date=19 December 2014}}</ref> Australia later gained the No. 1 Test ranking from [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] after a long span of 4 years and 9 months (from August 2009 to April 2014), when Australia defeated South Africa 2–1 in a 3 match Test series, during [[Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2013–14|Australia's tour of South Africa]] in 2014.

Under his captaincy, Australia made their lowest Test score (47 all out) in 109 years,<ref>[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/australia-all-out-for-284-in-first-test-against-south-africa-in-cape-town/story-e6frexni-1226191891320 Australia out for 47, their lowest score in 109 years]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. (5 October 2017). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>Hoult, Nick. (10 November 2011) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/australia/8881482/Australia-crash-to-their-lowest-Test-total-in-109-years-as-wickets-tumble-on-day-two-of-first-Test-in-South-Africa.html Australia crash to their lowest Test total in 109 years]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> and shortest first innings (18.3 overs, 60 all out) in Test cricket history,<ref>[http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/cricket/2015/08/07/australia-slaughtered-shortest-first-innings-ever/ It was the shortest first innings ever]. Thenewdaily.com.au (7 August 2015). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>Gearin, Mary (7 August 2015) [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4288677.htm Australia with shortest first innings in history]. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.cricket.com.au/news/australia-dismissed-for-60-first-innings-place-in-history-by-the-numbers-and-stats-ashes/2015-08-06 Australia's 60 and its place in history]. Cricket.com.au (6 August 2015). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-06/social-media-reactions-to-australian-first-innings/6679182 The shortest innings in history: Social media reacts to Australia's Ashes disaster]. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.au (6 August 2015). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> and their worst-ever series defeat against India in Test history, which is also the first 4–0 [[whitewash (sport)|whitewash]] for Australia against any side since 1969.<ref>[http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283942.html Whitewashes]. ''ESPNcricinfo''. (3 April 2018). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3723498.htm Aussie cricket whitewash in India]. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.au (25 March 2013). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.firstpost.com/sports/the-hard-stats-how-india-crushed-the-aussies-673669.html The hard stats: How India crushed the Aussies]. Firstpost.com (26 March 2013). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> Several of his teammates have criticised his captaincy. [[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]] described the team atmosphere as 'toxic' under his captaincy,<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2016/10/27/mitchell-johnson-australia-team-under-michael-clarke-was-toxic/ Mitchell Johnson: Australia team under Michael Clarke was 'toxic']. ''The Daily Telegraph''. (27 October 2016). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.insidesport.com.au/cricket/news/johnson-slams-clarkes-culture-as-toxic-440261 Johnson Slams Clarke'S Culture As "Toxic"]. Insidesport.com.au (27 October 2016). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> while [[Michael Hussey]] described the dressing room was stressful and tense.<ref>[http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/clt20-and-michael-hussey-unearthing-the-skeletons-buried-underneath-the-southern-cross/2 Unearthing the skeletons buried underneath the Southern Cross]. sportskeeda.com (4 October 2013)</ref><ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/676155.html Hussey raised concerns about team culture]. ''ESPNcricinfo''. (2 October 2013). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> Several former players including [[John Buchanan (Australian cricketer)|John Buchanan]]<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-eroded-australias-team-culture-john-buchanan-20150810-giw4nj.html Michael Clarke eroded Australia's team culture: John Buchanan]. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. (11 August 2015). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-11/buchanan-says-baggy-green-culture-deteriorated-under-clarke/6687644 Australia's 'Baggy Green' culture deteriorated under Michael Clarke's captaincy]. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.au (11 August 2015). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/former-coach-john-buchanan-joins-old-teammates-in-savage-sledge-on-divisive-michael-clarke-captaincy/news-story/1f8f48f0c07f60f631a1f806c050fb74 John Buchanan joins old teammates in savage sledge on ‘divisive’ Michael Clarke captaincy]. ''The Courier-Mail''. (5 October 2017). Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref> [[Andrew Symonds]],<ref>Gee, Steve. (9 August 2015) [http://wwos.nine.com.au/2015/11/15/11/37/symonds-slams-clarkes-leadership Symonds slams Clarke's leadership]. Wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/michael-clarkes-leadership-criticised-by-former-teammate-andrew-symonds/news-story/a1ec5bb0d591835ec2a29a47ebce75f1 Michael Clarke's leadership criticised by former teammate Andrew Symonds]. Fox Sports (10 August 2015)</ref> [[Matthew Hayden]],<ref>Kombra, Srikant Kannoth (10 August 2015) [http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/michael-clarke-criticised-former-teammates-andrew-symonds-mathew-hayden Michael Clarke criticised by former teammates Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden]. sportskeeda.com</ref><ref>Dorries, Ben (10 August 2015) [http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/michael-clarke-once-threatened-to-give-back-baggy-green-says-matthew-hayden/news-story/68e90582b938c84f42ddc7bb73c060b9 Michael Clarke once threatened to give back baggy green, says Matthew Hayden]. Fox Sports</ref> and [[Simon Katich]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/greg-matthews-says-simon-katich-should-have-punched-michael-clarke-instead-of-grabbing-his-by-the-throat/news-story/cc3c0253ad68640ae9a8377f566904d9|title=Greg Matthews says Simon Katich should have punched Michael Clarke instead of grabbing his throat|work=foxsports.com.au|date=11 November 2011|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/simon-katich-lashes-australia-captain-michael-clarke-over-sacking/story-e6frg7rx-1226179949761 Simon Katich lashes Australia captain Michael Clarke over sacking]. ''The Australian''. Retrieved 27 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cricket/simon-katich-stoush-with-michael-clarke-about-more-than-the-team-song/news-story/e61b38e274c0c61f048bef44d296c9bf Simon Katich: Stoush with Michael Clarke about more than the team song]. ''News Corp Australia'' (28 December 2015)</ref> spoke against his captaincy. Katich, a former team mainstay, blamed Clarke for effectively ending his career once he became captain in revenge for a post-match incident several years earlier which saw Katich grab Clarke by the throat following a row about the singing of Australia's team song in the dressing room.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/cricket-australia-news-michael-clarke-vs-simon-katich-scg-dressing-room-fight/news-story/3229f34222b98221062fd7889695a8b3|access-date=8 July 2022|title='You weak c***s': Sad truth behind dressing room dust-up that rocked Aussie cricket |date=6 May 2020 }}</ref>

===Late career===
Clarke suffered a hamstring injury on 14 November 2014, which put him in doubt to play at the beginning of the [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2014–15|2014–15 Border–Gavaskar Trophy]]. The series was rescheduled after the death of [[Phillip Hughes]] on 27 November, and Clarke was able to recover in time for the first Test at [[Adelaide Oval]], for which Hughes was named as Australia's honorary 13th man.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/07/first-test-to-be-a-celebration-of-the-life-of-phillip-hughes|title=First Test to be a celebration of the life of Phillip Hughes|date=7 December 2014|access-date=11 January 2023|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/08/michael-clarke-to-play-in-first-test-as-phillip-hughes-is-named-13th-man|title=Michael Clarke to play in first Test as Phillip Hughes is named 13th man|date=8 December 2014|access-date=11 January 2023|website=The Guardian}}</ref> On the first day of the match, Clarke scored 60 runs before suffering a back injury (a flare-up of his degenerative back condition).<ref name="back disc">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/09/michael-clarke-has-urgent-treatment-as-injury-forces-him-to-retire-hurt-in-test|title=Michael Clarke has urgent treatment as injury forces him to retire hurt in Test|date=9 December 2014|access-date=11 January 2023|website=The Guardian}}</ref> He [[Retired (cricket)|retired hurt]] from the innings, but returned to batting the next day. Because of his injury, Clarke couldn't play in his usual style and focused on wrist-work. He scored a century, finishing his innings with 128 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-10/courageous-clarke-defies-pain-to-score-a-ton-for-australia/5958280|title=Michael Clarke defies pain to score a century for Australia against India at Adelaide Oval|last=Newman|first=Paul|date=10 December 2014|access-date=11 January 2023|website=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-battles-serious-back-injury-for-28th-test-century-20141210-124ckt.html|title=Michael Clarke battles serious back injury for 28th Test century|last=Wu|first=Andrew|date=10 December 2014|access-date=11 January 2023|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> This was the last century he scored in his career.<ref name="retirement"/>

Clarke captained the Australian team for [[2015 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Clarke to quit ODIs after World Cup final |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/856431.html |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN (Sports Media) |date=28 March 2015 |access-date=29 March 2015 }}</ref> Clarke starred in the final against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]], top scoring with a score of 74 off 72 balls, as Australia won their fifth World Cup title. He was [[bowled]] when nine runs were required to win.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Clarke announced that he would retire from One Day Cricket at the conclusion of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup/cricket-world-cup-2015-australian-captain-michael-clarke-to-retire-from-oneday-international-after-world-cup-20150328-1m9v2u.html |title= Cricket World Cup 2015: Australian captain Michael Clarke to retire from one-day international after World Cup |work= The Sydney Morning Herald  |date= 28 March 2015 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/856431.html |title= Clarke to quit ODIs after World Cup final |work=ESPNcricinfo |date= 28 March 2015 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref> Clarke played 244 ODIs, made 7907 runs at an average of 44.42 with 8 [[Century (cricket)|centuries]] and 58 half-centuries. He led his country in 73 matches, of which Australia won 49.<ref>{{cite news
|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup-as-glory-awaits-clarke-ready-to-call-it-quits/story-e6frg7rx-1227281938361 |title= Cricket World Cup: As glory awaits, Clarke ready to call it quits |work= The Australian |publisher=News Corp Australia |date= 28 March 2015 |access-date= 28 March 2015}}</ref>

Clarke captained Australia for the last time in the [[2015 Ashes series]]. Clarke batted poorly during the series, failing to score above 50 in any innings.<ref name="retirement">{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/michael-clarke-retire-after-ashes-2015-according-to-reports-australia-england-trent-bridge/2015-08-08|title=Clarke announces his retirement|last=Ramsey|first=Andrew|date=8 August 2015|access-date=11 January 2023|website=cricket.com.au}}</ref> Australia lost the series after the fourth Test match at [[Trent Bridge]] with one match remaining. Following the match, Clarke announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the series.<ref name="retirement"/>

==Twenty20 leagues==

On 1 May 2012, Clarke made his debut in the [[Indian Premier League]] for [[Pune Warriors India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/content/current/story/563335.html |title=Deccan bat, Clarke debuts in IPL |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>

In 2013, Clarke was named captain of the [[Sydney Thunder]] in Australia's [[Twenty20]] [[Big Bash League]];<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-replaces-dave-warner-as-sydney-thunder-captain/story-e6frfg8o-1226440614131 |title= Michael Clarke replaces Dave Warner as Sydney Thunder captain |author=Conn, Malcolm |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 August 2012 |access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref> however, due to injury and international team commitments, he never actually played a game for the Thunder.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Andrew |title=Sydney Thunder admit mistake in signing Michael Clarke and David Warner |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/sydney-thunder-admit-mistake-in-signing-michael-clarke-and-david-warner-20140116-30why.html |access-date=2 February 2019 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 January 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

He also signed with the [[Melbourne Stars]] ahead of [[BBL 05|BBL|05]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-17 |title=Clarke to captain Stars in BBL{{!}}05 {{!}} cricket.com.au |url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/3264713/clarke-to-captain-stars-in-bbl05 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.cricket.com.au |language=en}}</ref> being announced in April as captain and wearing [[Shane Warne]]'s iconic number 23<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/1jejPpjdSH/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=781c194c-49e4-44af-ba8f-1fb85e3a4e9e |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> in a two-season deal. However, he backed out of that deal in September of that year,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-09-01 |title=Clarke confirms decision to back out of Melbourne Stars deal |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-02/clarke-reportedly-set-to-back-out-of-melbourne-stars-deal/6742600 |access-date=2025-03-17 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> taking an "extended break from cricket" after retiring from the international game,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Chris |date=2015-09-01 |title=Michael Clarke pulls out of Big Bash League deal with Melbourne Stars |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-michael-clarke-pulls-out-of-big-bash-league-deal-with-melbourne-stars-20150901-gjcybv.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> before announcing his retirement from all formats due to injury lot long after.

==Statistics and achievements==
===Honours===
Clarke won the [[Allan Border Medal]], considered to be the most prestigious individual prize in Australian cricket, four times, in 2005, 2009 (jointly with [[Ricky Ponting]]), 2012 and 2013. Only Ponting had won it as many times.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/photos/history-of-allan-border-medal-winners-499331|title=History of Allan Border Medal winners|date=27 January 2015|work=Cricket Country|access-date=25 November 2017|language=en-us}}</ref> He was also awarded the Men's Test Player of the Year at the [[Allan Border Medal]] ceremony by the CA in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/about/awards-and-events/australian-cricket-awards|title = Australian Cricket Awards. Cricket Australia}}</ref>

He won the [[Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy]], thereby winning the Cricketer of the Year 2013 and also the Test Cricketer of the Year 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=The Guardian|title=Ashes captains Clarke and Cook both hit a ton and pick up an annual award|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/13/ashes-captains-michael-clarke-alastair-cook|access-date=13 December 2013|date=13 December 2013}}</ref> He was named as a [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year|Wisden Cricketer of the Year]] in 2010 [[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]].<ref name="Wisden Cricketer">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/455899.html |title=Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2010 Michael Clarke |work=ESPNcricinfo |year=2010}}</ref> He was named [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]] for the year 2012 in 2013 [[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]].<ref name="leading cricketer">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/629112.html |title=Wisden 2013 – leading cricketer in the world Michael Clarke |work=ESPNcricinfo |year=2013}}</ref> For his performances in 2012, he was named as captain of the World Test XI and ODI XI by the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-s-michael-clarke-named-captain-of-icc-test-team-of-the-year-580001|title=Clarke named captain of ICC Test Team of the Year|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> He was also named in the World Test XI by the ICC in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/179021|title=Clarke takes top honours at LG ICC Awards 2013|website=Icc-cricket.com|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> He was also named in the Test XI of the year by ESPNcricinfo for 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2012/content/story/599709.html |title=The teams of the year |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=5 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2013/content/story/705667.html |title=AB, Ajmal and Co |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

In June 2020, Clarke was made an [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] in the [[2020 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia)|Queen's Birthday Honours]], "for distinguished service to cricket as a player at the national and international level, through leadership roles, and to the community."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Decent |first1=Tom |title=Michael Clarke receives Order of Australia gong |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-receives-order-of-australia-gong-20200607-p550al.html |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=7 June 2020}}</ref> Three months later, he was inducted as a [[Cricket NSW]] Life Member.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketnsw.com.au/news/michael-clarke-and-karen-price-inducted-as-cricket-nsw-life-members/2020-09-08|title=Michael Clarke and Karen Price inducted as Cricket NSW Life Members|work=cricketnsw.com.au|date=8 September 2020|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>

===Career highlights===
{{Main|List of international cricket centuries by Michael Clarke}}

====Tests====

*Clarke's debut Test score of 151 was made against India in Bangalore, 2004–05;<ref name="test1713">{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/indvaus2008/engine/match/64099.html |title=Aus vs India 1st Test 2004 |publisher=Content-aus.cricinfo.com |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> 
*He made 141 against New Zealand in November 2004 on his debut on home-soil at the Gabba (Brisbane, Australia),<ref name="test1721">{{cite web|url=http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/NZ_IN_AUS/SCORECARDS/NZ_AUS_T1_18-22NOV2004.html |title=Aus vs NZ 1st Test 2004/05 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> making him the only Australian to score a century on both home and away debuts.
*His best Test bowling figures of 6 for 9 (6.2 overs) came against India, Mumbai, 2004–05.<ref name="test1720">{{cite web|url=http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/AUS_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/AUS_IND_T4_03-07NOV2004.html |title=Aus vs India 4th Test 2004 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref>
*His first Ashes century came in December 2006, when he hit 124 at the Adelaide Oval to help Australia to victory.<ref name="test1819">{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausveng/engine/match/249223.html |title=Aus vs England 2nd Test 2006 |publisher=Content-aus.cricinfo.com |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref>
*He dismissed India's last three batsman in five balls on the fifth day of the 2nd Test against India on 6 January 2008.<ref name="test1857">{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/engine/match/291352.html |title=Aus vs India 2nd Test 2007/08 |publisher=Content-aus.cricinfo.com |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref>
*He won Australian Man of the Series in the 2009 Ashes Series. He was nominated by England team director Andy Flower for his "excellent batting".
*He was named full-time one-day and Test captain of Australia on 29 March 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://cricketnext.in.com/live/news/michael-clarke-named-new-aus-test-captain/56024-13.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126034559/http://cricketnext.in.com/live/news/michael-clarke-named-new-aus-test-captain/56024-13.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=26 January 2013 | title=Michael Clarke named new Aus Test captain| date=30 March 2011}}</ref>
*Clarke's highest Test batting score of 329* was made on 5 January 2012 against India. This is the highest Test match batting score at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]],<ref name="High Score" /> and the now fifth (then fourth) best Test match batting score by an Australian.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;team=2;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |work=Test match: Batting records |title=Highest scores by Australians |access-date=19 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206195037/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Bteam%3D2%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=6 December 2014 }}</ref>
*Michael Clarke set the record for the highest Test score by any batsman in Test history when batting at number 5 position (329*) and also he was only the second triple centurion at number 5 position after [[Donald Bradman]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282860.html |title=Highest Test scores at each batting positions |access-date=22 November 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
*Clarke made 210 in Adelaide, thereby joining [[Don Bradman]] and [[Wally Hammond]] as the only players to have made a triple century and a double century in the same series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Larkin|first=Steve|title=Michael Clarke's efforts against India put him in rare company with Don Bradman and Wally Hammond|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/michael-clarkes-efforts-against-india-put-him-in-rare-company-with-don-bradman-and-wally-hammond/story-fn2mcu3x-1226253766377|access-date=28 January 2012|work=[[Fox Sports]]|date=25 January 2012}}</ref>
*Clarke's score of 259* made at [[the Gabba]] on 9 November 2012 against South Africa is the highest Test score at the ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;ground=209;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |work=Test match: Batting records |title=Highest scores at the Brisbane Cricket Ground |access-date=19 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218143732/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Bground%3D209%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=18 February 2015 }}</ref>
*Clarke is the only Test batsman to reach four double centuries in a single calendar year, with a double century (230) at the Adelaide Oval on 22 November 2012.<ref name="Clarke4Tons">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/20440848 |title=Australia's Michael Clarke hits fourth double-hundred of 2012 |access-date=22 November 2012 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

[[File:Michael Clarke batting v4.png|thumb|center|800px|An innings-by-innings breakdown of Clarke's Test match batting career as at 5 January 2012, showing runs scored (bars – not out innings in orange, others in blue) and the career to-date batting average (red line). An [[:File:Michael Clarke batting v2.png|alternative image]] showing a 10 innings moving average is also available.]]

====One-Day Internationals====
*Clarke's highest ODI batting score of 130 was made against [[India cricket team|India]], at [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]], 2007
*He was the captain of Australia for the 2009 One Dayers as well as Twenty20 matches vs England
*He was named full-time one-day and Test captain of Australia on 29 March 2011.
[[File:Michael Clarke ODI batting career v1.png|thumb|center|800px|A match-by-match breakdown of Clarke's ODI batting career as at 23 January 2012, showing runs scored (bars – not out innings in orange, others in blue) and the career to-date batting average (red line). An [[:File:Michael Clarke ODI batting career v2.png|alternative image]] showing a 10-match moving average is also available.]]

===Career best performances===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Batting
|-
!
!Score
!Fixture
!Venue
!Season
|-
|'''[[Test cricket|Test]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|329[[not out|*]]
|[[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] v [[India national cricket team|India]]
|[[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]], [[Sydney]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2012<ref name="ESPNcricinfo - 3–6 January 2012 - India tour of Australia, 2011/12 - Australia v India">{{cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2011/engine/match/518951.html |title=India tour of Australia, 2011/12 – Australia v India Scorecard|date=6 January 2012|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[One Day International|ODI]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|130
|[[India national cricket team|India]] v [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]
|[[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2007<ref name="ESPNcricinfo - 29 September 2007 - Australia tour of India, 2007/08 - India v Australia">{{cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/297793.html |title=Australia tour of India, 2007/08 – India v Australia Scorecard|date=29 September 2007|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Twenty20 International|T20I]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|67
|[[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] v [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]
|[[Lancaster Park|AMI Stadium]], [[Christchurch]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2010<ref name="Australia tour of NZ, 2009-10">{{cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/nzvaus2010/engine/match/423788.html|title= Australia tour of New Zealand, 2009/10 – New Zealand v Australia Scorecard|date=28 February 2010|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[First-class cricket|FC]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|329[[not out|*]]
|[[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] v [[India national cricket team|India]]
|[[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]], [[Sydney]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2012<ref name="ESPNcricinfo - 3–6 January 2012 - India tour of Australia, 2011/12 - Australia v India"/>
|-
|'''[[List A cricket|LA]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|130
|[[India national cricket team|India]] v [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]
|[[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2007<ref name="ESPNcricinfo - 29 September 2007 - Australia tour of India, 2007/08 - India v Australia"/>
|-
|'''[[Twenty20 cricket|T20]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|67
|[[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] v [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]
|[[Lancaster Park|AMI Stadium]], [[Christchurch]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2010<ref name="Australia tour of NZ, 2009-10"/>
|}

==Personal life==
Clarke was in a relationship with model [[Lara Bingle]] until March 2010.<ref name="kimber"/> Clarke and Bingle became engaged in early 2008, and in May 2008, Clarke withdrew from the Australian cricket team's [[Australian cricket team in the West Indies in 2008|2008 tour of the West Indies]] due to the death of Bingle's father.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/clarke-withdraws-from-west-indies-tour-350456|title=Clarke withdraws from West Indies tour|last=English|first=Peter|date=9 May 2008|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> The pair never married, and they ended their relationship in March 2010, with Clarke leaving the Australian cricket team's ongoing [[Australian cricket team in New Zealand in 2009–10|tour of New Zealand]] to call off their engagement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/michael-clarke-s-next-move-the-most-important-451586|title=Clarke's next move the most important|last=English|first=Peter|date=12 March 2010|access-date=11 January 2023|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Clarke married business owner and model [[Kyly Boldy]] on 15 May 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/cricketer-michael-clarkes-girl-kyly-boldy-makes-the-cut-for-beautiful-people/story-e6frf96o-1226315430292 |title=Cricketer Michael Clarke's girl, Kyly Boldy, makes the cut for beautiful people  |author=Dennehy, Luke |newspaper=Sunday Herald Sun |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=9 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/gallery/gallery-e6freye9-1226233926041?page=1 |title=Kyly Clarke: Michael Clarke's wife Kyly |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref> The couple went to school together at [[Westfields Sports High School|Westfield Sports High School]] in Sydney and have one daughter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/kelsey-lee-michael-clarke-reveals-baby-daughters-name-20151119-gl3mfx.html|title=Kelsey Lee: Michael Clarke reveals baby daughter's name|date=20 November 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=25 November 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-12|title=The moment Kyly Boldy rejected Michael Clarke|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/highs-and-lows-of-michael-clarkes-marriage-to-kyly-boldy/news-story/2bbf5d59f32974ad7586ad3a887ebf43|access-date=2021-08-19|website=NewsComAu|language=en}}</ref> They announced their separation on 12 February 2020 and said that they had officially separated 5 months earlier.<ref>{{Cite news|last=James|first=Matthey|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/kyly-boldy-speaks-after-news-of-her-divorce-with-michael-clarke-goes-public/news-story/406ac5eb79e80d5250dacfdc4d8748d7|title=Kyly and Michael Clarke speak after news of divorce goes public|date=14 February 2020|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> In 2020, Clarke dated fashion business owner [[Pip Edwards]], but their relationship ended in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-02-05|title=Michael Clarke and Pip Edwards' relationship is over|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/michael-clarke-and-pip-edwards-relationship-is-over/news-story/efddec20ab99eb91898a569add5b521f|access-date=2021-08-19|newspaper=News.com.au|language=en}}</ref>

He was very close to former Australian Test opener [[Phillip Hughes]], and was distraught at the 25-year-old's unexpected death after being hit in the neck by a short-pitched delivery during a [[Sheffield Shield]] match at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]] in November 2014. Clarke gave an emotional speech at Hughes's funeral.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/805747.html|title=Clarke pays tribute to Phillip Hughes|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 November 2014 }}</ref> He requested Cricket Australia to retire Hughes's shirt number, 64, which was accepted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.india.com/sports/phillip-hughess-jersey-no-64-retired-by-cricket-australia-206598/|title=Phillip Hughes's jersey No 64 retired by Cricket Australia.|last=Service|first=Indo-Asian News|date=29 November 2014|work=India.com|access-date=25 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>

In 2016, Clarke published an autobiography, ''My Story''.<ref>{{cite news |last= Thompson|first= Allan|date= 10 November 2016|title=My Story, by Michael Clarke, Pan Macmillan, RRP: $44.99 |url=https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/bookshelf/my-story-by-michael-clarke-pan-macmillan-rrp-4499/news-story/2a7ed7d1bf007d112cb2bf2f29d6d863?nk=2a0b2680f80d56fb0cfda1e94cf13625-1568723578 |work=The Weekly Times |access-date= 17 September 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, Clarke had a skin cancer removed from his forehead. He was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 and became an ambassador for the [[Cancer Council Australia|Cancer Council]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/michael-clarkes-warning-after-he-has-skin-cancer-removed-from-his-forehead-c-442540|title=Michael Clarke's warning after he has skin cancer removed from his forehead|work=7news.com.au|date=9 September 2019|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>

In January 2023, Clarke and his partner Jade Yarbrough were involved in a public dispute in Noosa. The incident, which was caught on camera, appears to show Yarbrough slap Clarke and accuse him of cheating on her.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff reporters |date=2023-01-18 |title=Michael Clarke and Karl Stefanovic caught on video amid public fracas |url=https://www.theage.com.au/culture/celebrity/michael-clarke-and-karl-stefanovic-caught-on-video-amid-public-fracas-20230118-p5cdn8.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> Yarbrough's brother-in-law and ''[[Today (1982 TV program)|Today Show]]'' host [[Karl Stefanovic]] was also involved in the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-18 |title='You're a f***ing dog': Clarke in big stoush with Stefanovic amid explosive cheating claims |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/michael-clarke-and-karl-stefanovic-in-fight-in-noosa-video-cricket-news-2022-girlfriend-jade-and-jasmine-yarbrough/news-story/230dd0955ae498cb7ccd55d4019833e8 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref>

==Media career==

Between 2016 and 2018, Clarke was a cricket commentator for [[Nine's Wide World of Sports]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/michael-clarke-return-western-suburbs-premier-cricket-australia-cricket/2016-09-08|title=Clarke opts for WWOS gig over Big Bash deal|work=cricket.com.au|date=8 September 2016|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-ignored-by-fox-sports-and-channel-7-for-new-cricket-tv-deal/news-story/c81a7d5eb481f95e211173fbad49aaf7|title=Michael Clarke ignored by Fox Sports and Channel 7 for new cricket TV deal|work=news.com.au|date=28 July 2018|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> In 2020, Clarke began co-hosting the ''Big Sports Breakfast'' radio show.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Trent|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/breakfast-radio-pup-michael-clarke-enjoying-the-other-side-of-the-mic/|title=Breakfast radio pup Michael Clarke enjoying the other side of the mic|work=mediaweek.com.au|date=10 July 2020|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Brettig, Daniel. "It's now about gaining respect as a leader" Interview ESPNcricinfo. 18 April 2011. [http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/511298.html 'It's now about gaining respect as a leader']

==External links==
{{Commons category|Michael Clarke}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=4578}}

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