Former captain Michael Clarke has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

Clark, 43, accepted the honor Thursday, nearly a decade after he closed the chapter on his illustrious playing career. He is the 64th inductee, with two more members to be named this season.

Making his first-class debut for New South Wales at the age of 17, Clarke led Australia to the 2015 ODI World Cup and captained the team in 47 of his 115 Test appearances.

After impressing at the start of his ODI career – he was not out in his first three innings – Clarke burst onto the Test scene during Australia’s 2004 tour of India, scoring a match-best 151 on debut in Bengaluru. Crowned player.

After being dropped at the end of 2005, Clark returned an even stronger player. He became the sixth Australian to score a Test triple century after scoring an unbeaten 329 against India at the SCG in the 2011–12 series.

He followed up his SCG performance with a double century in the fourth Test against India, before scoring two more double centuries against South Africa the following season.

Clarke replaced Ricky Ponting as captain after England won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia in 2011. At his peak, he was among the best batsmen in the world. He was also in charge of the Ashes whitewash in 2013–14 and retired at the end of the losing campaign in England in 2015.

“To be able to sit with so many great players, idols, role models growing up and looking up to me is an honor,” Clark said. “Retirement does a lot for you. Now in the stages of watching cricket, you miss certain parts.

“When you play at the highest level people talk about your international career but for me it started at the age of six. I retired at 34 so that was my life. This is now. It is also a part of my life.

“Cricket – it’s probably similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 and then pick up the bat, and then you go out, field at slip and take a catch on the second ball of the game. Let’s leave.”

Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King hailed Clarke as a player who “defined his generation”.

“Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career began at the SCG at the age of just 17 – the site of many of his highlights, including a Test triple century against India in 2012,” King said.

“Michael’s career will always be fondly remembered by the Australian public and stands with him at the top of our game.”

Clarke also proved capable as a left-arm spinner. It was this spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs against India in 2008 that helped Australia retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy and extend their winning streak to 16 Tests. In his first series against India, he also took 6 wickets for 9 runs in Mumbai.

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