All you need to know about Michael Clarke
Clarke retired from ODI internationals after playing the final against New Zealand at the MCG on Sunday. (Source: AP)
Factbox on Australia captain Michael Clarke who quit one-day internationals after the World Cup final against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
* Was born on April 2, 1981 at Liverpool, New South Wales
* Nickname: Pup, Clarkey
* Made his Test debut against India at Bangalore in 2004
* Has played 108 Tests, scoring 8432 runs with 28 centuries and 27 half-centuries and averaging nearly 51
* His highest Test score of 329 not out came against India in Sydney in 2012
* He made his ODI debut against England in Adelaide in 2003
* Finished his ODI career with 7981 runs from 245 matches with eight centuries and 58 half-centuries
* Clarke averaged more than 44 in ODIs and his highest score of 130 came against India at Bangalore in 2007
* A part-time left-arm spinner, Clarke also has taken 31 Test wickets and 57 in ODIs.
* Also played 34 Twenty20 Internationals, before quitting the format in 2011 to focus on Tests and ODIs.
* Clarke has led Australia in 74 ODIs, of which Australia won 50.
* A brilliant slip fielder, Clarke has taken 125 catches in Tests and 106 in ODIs.
* Groomed as a future leader, Clarke took over as Australia captain after Ricky Ponting quit after the 2011 World Cup.
* One of the better players of spin bowling, Clarke, batting in the middle order, has often held together Australia’s innings.
* He battled a chronic back problem and underwent a hamstring surgery that kept him out of Australia’s first two pool matches in the 2015 World Cup.
* Clarke always maintained Test cricket remained paramount for him and his injury-induced absence prompted many to wonder if it created instability in the Australian ODI squad.
* He announced his retirement from ODIs a day before the final, which Australia won by seven wickets against New Zealand to send him out on a winning note.
* He compiled a 72-ball 74 with 10 fours and one six in his final knock in 50-overs cricket.
Source:: Indian Express
