Cricket legend Michael Clarke joins Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at SCG

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, becoming the 64th cricketer to receive this prestigious honour, reported 24News HD TV channel on Friday.

The announcement was made at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a venue that holds special significance in Clarke’s illustrious career.

Now 43,

Clarke had an illustrious 12-year international career, featuring 115 Test matches, 245 ODIs and 34 T20Is, accumulating over 17,000 runs.

 As captain, he played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s cricketing legacy, leading the team in 47 Tests, including the unforgettable 5-0 Ashes victory in 2013-14 and the triumphant 2015 ODI World Cup win on home soil.

Among his notable achievements, Clarke made a remarkable 151 on his Test debut in Bengaluru.

He went on to score 28 Test centuries, the sixth-highest for Australia, with standout innings including a 329 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against India, a 151 in Cape Town, and an emotionally charged 128 in Adelaide following the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.

Reflecting on his career, Clarke expressed gratitude for the recognition.

"To be able to sit along so many wonderful players, idols, role models growing up as a kid and looking up to is something I'm honoured by," Clarke said.

"Retirement does a lot of things to you. Through stages of watching cricket now, you miss parts. 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's still a part of my life," he added.

He also drew parallels between cricket and life itself: "Cricket - it's probably so similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 and then lift the bat, and then you walk out to field, field in slip and drop a catch second ball of the game."

Peter King, chairman of the Hall of Fame, praised Clarke's legacy.

"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," he said.

"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," he added.