15 facts about Captain courageous - Michael Clarke

15 facts about Captain courageous – Michael Clarke: He was a breath of fresh air because ‘Pup’ will not only be remembered for the runs he made rather the quality and timing of those runs. When Michael John Clarke made his debut against India in 2004 at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, we knew he wasn’t an ordinary cricketer. Not many Australians are comfortable using their feet against spin but he was one. His lofted cover drives are as good as any you will see. His hunger for runs is unmatched.

When Ricky Ponting, a man who gave his heart and soul to the game praises Clarke for his work ethics and training schedules, you know what he means. When he declares the innings just before he is about to overtake the legendary Sir Don, his unconditional respect for the Australian spirit comes to the fore.

His innings in Capetown on a tough wicket is testimony to his class and skill. Not many sides have gone to South Africa and beaten them in their den over the last decade. The Clarke led side achieved it last year. Neutral experts would tell you that he could have gone on to play till the next Ashes. Ponting who suffered an equally humiliating defeat if not more in the 2011 Ashes at home, didn’t quit right after that. A captain that has won the most coveted trophy in international cricket (World Cup) just four months ago, can not be pressurized to go.

But that is Michael Clarke for you, he evaluates his performances before you do. For him it is not about scoring runs against the minnows but aspiring to perform at the big stage. And when he fails to do so, he is the first one to put his hand up and accept that he fell short. Michael Clarke has without a doubt left on his own terms.

Here are the 15 facts about Captain courageous – Michael Clarke:

1.Under Clarke, Australia won their 4^th 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.

2. In January 2011, Clarke stepped down as captain of the Australian T20I team to concentrate on his Test and ODI game.

3. On 22 November 2012, Clarke scored a double century at the Adelaide Oval, making him the only Test batsman to ever achieve four double centuries in a calendar year.

4. 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.

5. He won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, thereby winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year award 2013. He also won the Allan Border medal for the year 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2013.

6. He 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.

7. Clarke made his debut Test score of 151 against India in Bangalore, 2004–05; he then made 141 against New Zealand in November 2004 on his debut on home-soil at the Gabba making him the only Australian to score a century on both home and away debuts.

8. His best Test bowling figures of 6 for 9 came against India, Mumbai, 2004–05 thus ensuring a memorable series win for the Aussies.

9. 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.

10. Clarke captained Australia in the under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2000.

11. In the memorable Test series win against the Proteas in 2014, the skipper finished unbeaten on 161 at Newlands after bravely surviving a brutal spell from Morne Morkel. Scans later revealed he had played most of the innings with a fractured shoulder.

12. He 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.

13. In 2010, Clarke left Australia’s touring party to New Zealand midway to sort out his personal problems as a report linked the move to a scandal involving his model fiancee, Lara Bingle. A couple of days later, Clarke cancelled his wedding with the model and returned to New Zealand. He married TV presenter Kylie Boldi on 15 May 2012.

14. 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. He also made more than 8000 runs with an average close to 50 in Tests.

15. A brilliant slip fielder, Clarke took 125 catches in Tests and 106 in ODIs. He is one of the few players who are equally good at throwing with either hand.