Queen’s birthday honours: Michael Clarke’s reward for another great knock

Michael Clarke has been made an officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to cricket and the community.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke at home in Sydney’s east. Picture: Nikki Short

They might have given him a gong for his 151 with cracked bones and crushed fingers courtesy of Morne Morkel at Cape Town in November 2011. That was brave.

And they could have given him one for being bold. On debut, he scored the same runs against India at Bangalore.

They might have given him an award for his grace and poise when Phillip Hughes was taken from us. His eulogy spoke to the grief, his century in the first Test less than a week later defied crippling injury and emotion.

Instead, Michael Clarke has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to cricket and to the community, through his leadership roles as a player at the game’s highest level. And that’s appropriate too.

Clarke, 38, grew up practising at his parents’ indoor nets in western Sydney, went on to play 115 Tests, 245 ODIs and 34 T20s for his country. A dashing batsman, a brilliant fielder and an aggressive captain, he retired in 2015 with a Test average of 49 and ODI average of 45.

A career as a commentator has segued into a partnership with rugby league legend Laurie Daley on the Big Sports Breakfast radio program, which he says is an enjoyable chapter of his life. “We’re back in the studio after a couple of months working from home, which is a bit of a challenge. Obviously being a sports radio show with no sport isn’t easy but it’s been fun,” Clarke told The Australian.

“I’m just loving it, it’s great to get to hang with Laurie Daley and I’m enjoying talking about different sports when I’ve spent my life talking cricket. It’s a nice change.”

Clarke works with a number of charity groups and says the acknowledgment of that means a lot to him.

“That makes it more special for me. Obviously it’s an honour to receive it, but the fact it recognises the work I’ve done for charities makes it very special,” he said.

“I’ve been with Life Education Australia since I was about 17 or 18 and with the Loyal Foundation, which raises money for underprivileged and seriously ill children. When my little girl was born six weeks premature, some of the equipment we’d bought through that charity saved her life.

“I signed up as an ambassador with Movember, I also do work with the Cancer Council, I think I’ve had seven (skin cancers) cut out of my face, so it’s something I’m very aware of.

‘‘Then there’s the stuff with the McGrath Foundation where I do what I can and that arose out of my relationship with Glenn and Jane (McGrath).

“This award is another example of why I owe the game so much, it’s given me so much over such a long period of time, I feel like this is as much for my family and friends and the people that have supported me through my journey and career. I will always owe a lot to what I feel is the greatest game in the world.”

Clarke walked away from the game after the 2015 Ashes and has no regrets. “I don’t miss it and I say that very respectfully, I don’t miss the travel, I don’t miss the daily grind of trying to get my body and my mind up to compete at the highest level and I’m so excited about what I’m doing now,’’ he said.

‘‘ I love being at home and being able to spend time with my little girl, I’m loving breakfast radio and the work I do with a number of companies I’ve been an ambassador for over a long period of time.

“I feel like I have a healthy balance. I still train every day, but I am so thankful for the life balance I have now.”