Michael Clarke is a famous cricketing personality and a great person. As a former Aussie skipper, Clarke has made some iconic moments in cricket that indicate his cricketing ability, technical skills, and winning mentality, which inspired the team on several occasions. However, there is another side of Clarke, which many people do not know. Here, we present to you the Top 10 things you did not know about Michael Clarke.
1. Success At Early Age
Clarke began his cricketing career at just 12 years old, and at 17, he was the youngest team member in an Ashes test series. Clarke’s early inclusion proved his immense talent, skill, and the rate he scored runs. In 2003, he got selected by then-skipper Ricky Ponting to replace Andrew Symonds since he was a limited-overs specialist. Clarke performed exceptionally in the Ashes Test Series, thus cementing his place in the starting XI. Part of his success comes from his domestic record, where in a cup final tournament, Clarke scored a century to win the final.
2. Comes From A Sporting Family
Clarke comes from a family involved in sports and sporting events. His father and mother were both cricketing professionals. The sporting mentality within the family instilled values in Clarke, cricketing values which inspired Clarke to choose cricket as a career choice, which honestly was the right choice. Clarke played many sports, but cricket was the only sport he felt comfortable with, and he felt he could excel in the sport if he put in enough effort.
3. Fashion Venture
Michael Clarke, with his good looks and entrepreneurial spirit, has taken on various business ventures, achieving success in all fields. He took each venture to great heights, thus improving his public image. Clarke once even got on the cover page of a fashion magazine. He further ventured into fashion, establishing his brand, which catered to all individuals and people seeking fashionable and comfortable wear. His thinking, beyond his cricketing abilities, shows his intellect and adaptability to excel in various fields.
4. Writing His Own Book
Michael Clarke, after retirement, wrote his autobiography, describing each moment of his career, from his debut in 2003 to his early struggles, emotional moments, and personal experiences. The book provides a detailed account of the pressure Clarke had to face when he was selected for the main squad at an early age and the triumphs and low defeats he had to face in his years on the national team. From a small boy playing cricket to a cricket legend, Clarke’s book provides people with another side of a cricket player many do not know about.
5. Overcoming Injuries
Throughout his career, Michael Clarke faced many injuries and overcame them. One such injury happened early in his career, which affected him negatively for his whole career. In 2003, Clarke suffered a recurring back problem which often caused discomfort. Clarke went through rigorous training and therapy to help him ease his back. But through determination and commitment towards playing, Clarke overcame his back problems and was exceptional. The ability to perform at the highest level consistently and rise above setbacks proves how good Michael Clarke was as a player.
6. Career As A Television And Media Analyst
Clarke got into the sports entertainment industry after retiring, joining in as a cricket analyst and commentator, sharing his experiences and insights on the mic and among his now squad players. Clarke’s commentary moments are most vivid during the Big Bash League Seasons, where he teams up with either Adam Gilchrist or Ricky Ponting and provides fun-filled and intensive commentary moments, which wow audiences worldwide.
7. 2013-14 Ashes Triumph
The Ashes 2013 was the peak point of Clarke’s career, in which he triumphed over England 5-0. His leadership skills were evident as he led his team by example, scoring many runs over the series. Clarke brought with him a down Australian side, who suffered a series defeat to South Africa, and they faced England in its best form. Clarke’s masterful tactics worked as Australian bowlers Johnson and Pattinson went all-out and took many crucial wickets. Aussie batters Warner and Smith scored runs, and Clarke was particularly aggressive in his batting.
8. Phil Hughes
Phil Hughes was a close friend of Clarke since he was with him since his early days at the domestic league. Both came into the national team, just with months difference. Although Clarke went on to have a successful career while Hughes didn’t, Clarke was still close to Phil. Clarke was particularly devastated to hear about the demise of his closest friend. Phil Hughes passed away from a cerebral injury in the summer of 2013. Clarke was mentally broken and could not overcome this event. He wept openly at the funeral. Clarke went on to say that the loss of Phil Hughes was his biggest loss.
9. Leadership In The 2015 World Cup
Coming to the 2015 World Cup, Australia has not considered favorites as they had to overcome a strong Indian side, the veterans of South Africa, and most notably, their arch-rivals England and New Zealand, who had bolstered their line-ups by bringing in good players in their finest form. Australia had some young talents and a bit of experience, all led by their charismatic skipper, Clarke. Clarke had the task of dealing with the internal problems, which had previously halted them in 2011, setting up both David Warner and newcomer Aaron Finch to open, with Shane Watson providing backup down the order. The line-up was successful through the group stage, the semifinals, however, provided a different challenge. Australia was up against India, in their finest form, with both openers blasting opposition bowlers, and Virat Kohli, was in the form of his life. But they had Mitchell Johnson, who had troubled Virat the previous year at Melbourne. He took many crucial wickets, taking Australia to the final, and helped them win the Cup. Clarke had a trophy with a team that couldn’t win even a series home prior to that summer.
10. Philanthropical Values
Michael Clarke founded an organization in 2015 which aims to provide safety, help, and education to underprivileged children in Australia. Recently, he also contributed millions to the victims of the Australia Bushfire. He has a humanitarian view towards contributing, thus improving society through his actions.
