Former captain Michael Clarke inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
The latest inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Michael Clarke pointed out a remarkable coincidence in the timing of his selection.
Michael Clarke has paid tribute to former teammates Phillip Hughes and Shane Warne as he became the latest Australian Test captain to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
One of the most decorated batters in Australian cricket history, Clarke was emotional on Thursday morning as he discussed the honour at the SCG.
Within his opening remarks, he pointed out that he was the 64th inductee to the Hall of Fame – the shirt number worn by Hughes in ODI cricket. Clarke also felt it was a perfect coincidence that the announcement occurred on the 23rd of January – a shirt number he shared with Warne.
“I don’t know if this was planned,” Clarke said. “The 23rd of the month, a number that I love, and the 64th inductee, a number that I’ll cherish forever.
“If it was (planned), thank you. If it wasn’t, what a coincidence. Two special numbers, so that makes today even more special to me.
“I think they’d be whispering different things, that’s for sure. I think they’d both be very proud, there’s no doubt about it. That’s probably the icing on the cake on a day like today.”
Reflecting on a career that started when he first picked up a bat as a six-year-old, Clarke still spoke with child-like wonder about the incredible journey cricket took him on.
And although he wouldn’t single out an individual moment as his greatest memory on the cricket field, whether it was on the SCG or Pratten Park in Ashfield, he said he appreciated each one.
“To sit along 63 other inductees that I grew up looking up to…it’s extremely special,” Clarke said.
“When you play at the highest level, people talk about your international career. But for me, it started at six years of age. I retired at 34, so it was my life. It still is part of my life.
“Cricket is probably so similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 with the bat, and then you walk out to field in slip and drop a catch, second ball. It’s that rollercoaster ride…I think life’s the same.
“You go back to school cricket, junior club cricket, my grade club Western Suburbs, New South Wales and Australia. Everything was about trying to represent that team as well as you could.
“I liked winning, a lot. So probably any game we won and I contributed to that win (was a career highlight). The pinnacle, well my first tour winning in India. We hadn’t done it for such a long period of time, we haven’t done it since.
“Ashes series are special. World Cups. I really loved the era and generation I played in. I was lucky enough to play with some of the all-time greats of the game. So, I’ve been so fortunate. I’m so grateful.”
The Ashes and World Cup-winning leader is among the most decorated players of modern times.
Only Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith and David Warner have scored more Test runs for Australia than Clarke (8643) this century, a mountain that included 28 centuries.
The Sydney-born and raised Clarke also amassed 7981 one-day international runs.
A teen prodigy, Clarke burst onto the scene with dyed blond hair on ODI debut at Adelaide Oval in 2003.
By the end of the next year he had established himself in the Test side, scoring a memorable debut century against India in Bangalore.
Undone by England during the iconic 2005 Ashes series, Clarke lost his spot the following summer but returned with a vengeance in seasons that followed, becoming a key pillar of a transitioning Australian side.
Perhaps his two most famous performances came against India at the SCG: an unbeaten 329 in the Sydney Test of 2012, and a match-winning three-wicket haul to secure Australia a 16th straight Test win four years earlier.
Appointed Test skipper in the wake of Australia’s brutal Ashes humbling in the summer of 2010-11, Clarke’s batting lifted several notches with the captaincy, leading to an outstanding 2012 in which he plundered 1595 runs at 106.33 in Test cricket.
He oversaw the regaining of the urn in the 2013-14 whitewash before navigating an extremely trying summer to hold aloft the World Cup at the MCG in 2015, months after being at the bedside of the dying Phillip Hughes.
His leadership through the Hughes ordeal was widely recognised as exemplary, even if Clarke’s brash and at-times aloof style polarised teammates and the public over the years.
Clarke retired after the ceding of the Ashes in 2015.
While not as prominent as several other former stars, he remains involved in the media on radio and to a lesser degree television.
Peter King, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman, said:
“On behalf of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee, it is my great pleasure to announce Michael Clarke AO as the first inductee to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame for the 2024/25 season.
“In selecting Michael as one of the three Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductees for this season, the selection committee was met with statistics of a player who defined his generation and at his peak was ranked the best Test batter in the world.
“More than that, Michael was an exceptional leader of our men’s Test and ODI teams who had a sustained period of success under his captaincy.
“Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career started at just 17 at the SCG – the place where many of his highlights occurred, including a Test triple century against India in 2012.
“While often lauded for his batting prowess, Michael also excelled with ball in hand having helped Australia secure victory in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs with just seven balls remaining in the match.
“Michael’s career will forever be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside those at the upper echelon of our game. On behalf of the selection committee, we congratulate Michael on his very deserved induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.”
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO said: “I’m delighted Michael has taken his place in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame as one of Australia’s best and most prolific batters and as captain of highly successful Test and limited overs teams.
“Michael’s elegant stroke play was a feature of Australian teams for over a decade. His application, temperament and leadership were exemplified throughout the many significant innings he played for his country, including leading Australia to World Cup victory on home soil in 2015.
“On behalf of everyone in Australian Cricket, I would like to thank Michael for his enormous contribution to Australian Cricket and congratulate him on this latest achievement.”
Greg Dyer , Australian Cricketers’ Association Chair said:
“Michael Clarke’s legacy is not only defined by his extraordinary and consistent achievements on the field, but also by the pivotal role he played during a successful era in Australian cricket history.
“As captain, his leadership steered the team to numerous victories, ensuring Australia remained a dominant force in the sport.
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“Michael has always been a passionate supporter of cricket at every level, from the grassroots in local clubs, to Premier cricket and beyond, believing that a strong foundation is essential to the future of the game.
“His commitment to fostering the growth of cricket at every stage speaks to his enduring love for the sport and his belief in its power to unite and inspire future generations.
“I would like to congratulate Michael on this momentous achievement and thank him for the immense impact he has had on Australian cricket.“
Originally published as Former captain Michael Clarke inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
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