Clarke, 43, accepted the honour on Thursday, almost a decade after he closed the chapter on his exceptional taking part in profession. He’s the sixty fourth inductee, with two additional members to be named this season.
Making his first-class debut for New South Wales at 17, Clarke captained Australia to victory within the 2015 ODI World Cup and led the facet throughout 47 of his 115 Checks.
He adopted up his SCG efficiency with a double century within the fourth Check towards India, earlier than notching two additional double centuries towards South Africa the next season.
Michael Clarke was prolific within the interval from 2012 to 2014•Getty Pictures
It had been in 2011, after England received the Ashes 3-1 in Australia, that Clarke succeeded Ricky Ponting as captain. At his peak, he was ranked one of the best batter on the earth. He was additionally on the helm for the Ashes whitewash in 2013-14 and retired on the finish of the misplaced 2015 marketing campaign in England.
“To have the ability to sit alongside so many great gamers, idols, function fashions rising up as a child and looking out as much as is one thing I am honoured by,” Clarke mentioned. “Retirement does plenty of issues to you. By way of levels of watching cricket now, you miss components.
“While you play on the highest degree, individuals discuss your worldwide profession however for me, it began at six years of age. I retired at 34 so it was my life. It is nonetheless part of my life.
“Cricket – it is most likely so just like life usually. You stroll out and make 100 after which elevate the bat, and you then stroll out to subject, subject in slip and drop a catch second ball of the sport.”
Australian Cricket Corridor of Fame chairman Peter King praised Clarke as a participant who “outlined his technology”.
“Michael’s extraordinary first-class taking part in profession began at simply 17 on the SCG – the place the place lots of his highlights occurred, together with a Check triple century towards India in 2012,” King mentioned.
“Michael’s profession will perpetually be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside these on the higher echelon of our recreation.”
