Michael Clarke had an outstanding career for Australia. Known as 'Pup' because of his boyish looks, diamond ear piercing, and bleach blonde hair, it didn't take long for the boy from Liverpool, New South Wales, to make his mark.
In a cricketing career spanning 12 years from 2003 to 2015, Clarke went on to play 115 tests scoring 8643 runs (fourth all-time amongst Australian batsmen) with an average of 49.10, including 28 centuries and 27 half-centuries.
In 244 One Day Internationals, he scored 7981 runs at a brilliant average of 44.58. Although he had numerous scrutiny on him during stages of his career, Clarke rose above it all to become one of Australia's classiest batsmen.
From an incredible 2012 to leading Australia to Ashes glory, Clarke's achievements speak for themselves.
Here are five memorable moments during his career.
4. Young pup tears through the vaunted Indian batting lineup in Mumbai 2004
It's not Shane Warne. It's Michael Clarke.
Already having an exceptional debut series, the youngster would be called upon by captain Ricky Ponting to generate wickets. Sure enough, he did. One in which the Indians didn't think was going to happen.
The final test would tailor towards the bowlers, in particular the spinners. With India beginning to navigate their way back into the test behind the platform set by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar, Australia were in desperate need of scalps.
Clarke began the rot, first with a ripping ball outside off-stump to dismiss India's wall Rahul Dravid. If his maiden test wicket wasn't enough, he was back to rip through the Indian middle and lower order.
Within 10.2 overs, he had bamboozled the Indians as it lost its final six wickets for only 23 runs. More remarkably he took all six wickets in 6.2 overs. The splendid spell puts him in company with other Australian part-time bowlers including Allan Border (11 wickets altogether v West Indies SCG 1989), and Michael Bevan (10 wickets altogether v West Indies, Adelaide 1997).
