ICC congratulates Clarke on “an incredible career”

ICC congratulates Clarke on “an incredible career”: The Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) David Richardson has paid tribute to Australia captain Michael Clarke, who retired today from international cricket.

Reflecting on Clarke’s impact on the world game, Mr Richardson said: “On behalf of the ICC, I would like to congratulate Michael on an incredible career. Over the course of his captaincy, he not only led Australia to the top of the Test rankings, but he also scaled the summit of the batting rankings.

“Michael has been a mainstay in the Australia team during a very successful period in its history. An attacking and stylish batsman, who also chipped in with many important wickets, Michael will also be remembered as an outstanding captain. He has played a significant role in Australia’s many successes across all three formats for more than a decade and his influence has left an indelible mark on the world game.”

A prolific batsman across all three formats, Clarke played in 115 Tests, 245 ODIs and 34 T20Is in an international career spanning over 12 years. He scored 8,643 Test runs, 7,981 ODI runs and 488 T20I runs. He also guided his country to the top of the Test rankings during his tenure.

In 2013, he won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, which is awarded to the ICC Cricketer of the Year, as well as the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year accolade. He was named in the ICC Test Team of the Year in 2009, 2012 (as captain) and 2013, and was also selected in the ICC ODI Team of the Year in 2012.

Earlier this year, Clarke led his side to its fifth ICC Cricket World Cup title. It was his second title as a player as he was also a member of Ricky Ponting’s side which lifted the silverware in Barbados in 2007.

Clarke was also part of the Australia side which won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 in Mumbai. The only missing trophy from his cabinet is the ICC World Twenty20 trophy and the closest he came to winning it was in 2010 when his side reached the final where it lost to England in Barbados. The 34-year-old also played in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2000 in Sri Lanka.