2) Michael Clarke's father used to own an indoor sports centre
3) Michael Clarke is the first and only Australian batsman to score Test centuries on both home and away debuts. Clarke scored 151 against India in Bangalore and 141 against New Zealand at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia: both in 2004
4) Clarke’s highest Test batting score of 329* against India, in 2012 at Sydney is the highest Test score at the SCG, and the 4th best Test score of all time by an Australian
5) The 35-year old is also the first and only Test batsman to score four double centuries in a calendar year. Clarke achieved the feat at the Adelaide Oval in November, 2012 when he played a superb knock of 230 runs
6) Michael Clarke best Test bowling figures of 6 for 9 came against India, Mumbai, 2004–05 thus ensuring a memorable series win for the Aussies
7) Michael Clarke captained Australia in the under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2000
8) Besides being a fighter on the cricket field, Clarke is also a fighter in real life. Clarke was diagnosed with chronic back pain at the age of just 17 years in 1998 and Skin Cancer in 2005. However, he overcame both to play for Australia till 2015
9) Clarke also made 210 in the Adelaide Test in the same series in 2012 against India thereby becoming the third batsman after Don Bradman and Wally Hammond to score a triple century and double century in the same series
10) A brilliant slip fielder, Clarke took 125 catches in Tests and 106 in ODIs. Clarke is one of the few players who are equally good at throwing with either hand
11) Michael Clarke led Australia in 74 ODIs, of which Australia won 50. He finished his ODI career with 7981 runs from 245 matches with 8 centuries and 58 half-centuries. Clarke also made more than 8000 runs with an average close to 50 in Tests
12) Michael Clarke made his professional debut with New South Wales at age 19
13) Under Clarke, Australia won their 4th ICC ODI World Cup earlier this year at home. He played a significant role in the final against the Kiwis scoring 72. Clarke has been a part of 2 ODI World Cups (2007 and 2015) and a Champions Trophy (2006) winning sides
14) Clarke first Ashes century came in December 2006, when he hit 124 at the Adelaide Oval to help Australia to victory
15) Clarke dismissed India's last three batsman in five balls on the fifth day of the 2nd Test against India on 6 January 2008
16) Michael Clarke was named full-time one-day and Test captain of Australia on 29 March 2011
17) Clarke's highest ODI batting score of 130 was made against India, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, 2007
18) His tally of 1595 Test runs in 2012 is the most for an Australian in a calendar year. He went past Ricky Ponting’s record of 1544 runs
19) Clarke won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, thereby winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year award 2013. Clarke also won the Allan Border medal for the year 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2013
20) Clarke was named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2010 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. He was named Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for the year 2012 in 2013 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack
21) Clarke was very close to former Australian Cricketer Phil Hughes who died in November 2014 when he was hit by a bouncer on the neck. Clarke couldn’t hold his tears at Hughes funeral and gave a very emotional speech
22) Michael Clarke got married to model and media personality Kyly Boldy on May 15, 2012. They have a daughter named Kelsey.
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