Clarke was born on 2 April 1981 to a middle-class family.

He was chosen to make his Test debut against India at Bangalore, in October 5 to 9, 2004, despite having a first-class average below 40.
He succeeded on debut, scoring 151 and consequently helping Australia to victory, invoking comparisons to past Australian batsmen such as Doug Walters and Mark Waugh.
 The innings, felt Peter Roebuck, was especially notable for its aggression and freedom.
 "Not that the assault was reckless," he added.
 "Indeed the control was impressive.
 Clarke calculated the risks and took his brains with him down the track.
 Of course he need a bit of luck, was plumb in front in the nineties, but few begrudged him his hundred.
 And everyone except his weary foes celebrated with him and his tearful family when he reached three figures.
 After all, he had advanced both the match and the game."

Clarke went on to play a major part leading both the batting and bowling averages for the series in Australia's 2–1 series victory, their first in India in over thirty years, contributing figures of 6 for 9 off 6.2 overs in the fourth Test, which Australia lost.
On his return to Australia he made another debut century, his first home Test in Brisbane against New Zealand, becoming one of the few Test cricketers to have achieved the feat of Test centuries on both their home and away debuts.
In recognition of his performance in the 2004 calendar year, he was awarded the Allan Border Medal in 2005.

Clarke's poor form during the 2005 Ashes series and his failure to score a Test century for over a year saw him dropped from the Test team in late 2005.
Clarke had previously remarked that one of his career aims was to never be dropped from the Test team.

As a child, Clarke said in a biography that he was a natural lefty who switched to bat right handed, the same as his father.
Clarke was born on 2 April 1981 to a middle-class family.
He was chosen to make his Test debut against India at Bangalore, in October 5 to 9, 2004, despite having a first-class average below 40. He succeeded on debut, scoring 151 and consequently helping Australia to victory, invoking comparisons to past Australian batsmen such as Doug Walters and Mark Waugh.  The innings, felt Peter Roebuck, was especially notable for its aggression and freedom.  "Not that the assault was reckless," he added.  "Indeed the control was impressive.  Clarke calculated the risks and took his brains with him down the track.  Of course he need a bit of luck, was plumb in front in the nineties, but few begrudged him his hundred.  And everyone except his weary foes celebrated with him and his tearful family when he reached three figures.  After all, he had advanced both the match and the game."
Clarke went on to play a major part leading both the batting and bowling averages for the series in Australia's 2–1 series victory, their first in India in over thirty years, contributing figures of 6 for 9 off 6.2 overs in the fourth Test, which Australia lost. On his return to Australia he made another debut century, his first home Test in Brisbane against New Zealand, becoming one of the few Test cricketers to have achieved the feat of Test centuries on both their home and away debuts. In recognition of his performance in the 2004 calendar year, he was awarded the Allan Border Medal in 2005.
Clarke's poor form during the 2005 Ashes series and his failure to score a Test century for over a year saw him dropped from the Test team in late 2005. Clarke had previously remarked that one of his career aims was to never be dropped from the Test team.
As a child, Clarke said in a biography that he was a natural lefty who switched to bat right handed, the same as his father.
Michael Clarke (cricketer)