Michael Clarke burst onto the international cricket scene with a stunning debut century against India in Bangalore back in 2004. The 151 he scored that day wasn’t just impressive numbers – it showed the world that here was a batsman who could handle spin bowling like few Australians before him. Fast forward to 2015, and “Pup” was lifting the World Cup as captain on home soil.
These days, you’ll find Clarke behind the microphone more often than holding a bat. His Beyond 23 podcast has taken off, especially during IPL 2025 where he’s been interviewing Indian stars left and right. Ben Cutting’s wife Erin Holland joins him regularly, and together they’ve created something cricket fans actually want to listen to.
Michael Clarke Biography
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Michael John Clarke |
Date of Birth | April 2, 1981 |
Age | 44 years (2025) |
Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
Weight | 150 lbs (68 kg) |
Birthplace | Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia |
Nickname | Pup, Clarkey |
Batting Style | Right-handed |
Bowling Style | Left-arm orthodox spin |

The Young Michael Clarke
Michael grew up in Liverpool – not the famous one in England, but the Sydney suburb. His dad Les ran an indoor cricket center, which explains a lot about where Michael picked up those silky smooth batting skills. Most kids would go home and watch TV after school. Michael went to dad’s place and faced bowlers for hours.
Here’s something interesting – he’s left-handed, just like Mr Cricketer Michael Hussey. Writes with his left hand, bowls left-arm spin when needed. But someone convinced him early on to bat right-handed, and thank goodness for that decision.
When Michael turned 17, doctors found some pretty serious back problems – three degenerative discs. For most people, that might end any sporting dreams. For Clarke, it just meant more work in the gym and a lot of pain management throughout his career.
The Cricket Stuff
Michael’s first taste of international cricket came in an ODI against England in January 2003. Nothing too flash – 39 not out. But when he walked out to bat in that Bangalore Test the following year, something clicked.
Career Statistics
Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Centuries | Half-Centuries | Highest Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 115 | 8,643 | 49.10 | 28 | 27 | 329* |
ODI | 245 | 7,981 | 44.58 | 8 | 58 | 130 |
T20I | 34 | 488 | 21.21 | 0 | 2 | 34* |
IPL | 6 | 100 | 16.67 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
Love Life Drama
Michael’s relationships have been tabloid gold for years. Let’s break it down:
Lara Bingle (2007-2010): The big one. Australian cricket’s golden boy dating the country’s hottest model. They got engaged in New York in 2008, but it all went sideways in 2010. AFL player Brendan Fevola had taken some intimate photos of Lara back in 2006, and when they surfaced, the media went crazy. Michael flew home from a New Zealand tour early, and within days they’d called off the engagement.
Kyly Boldy (2012-2020): His high school mate turned wife. They seemed solid for a while, had daughter Kelsey Lee in 2015. But word around cricket circles was that Michael never really got over Lara. The marriage ended in 2020 with a $40 million settlement that apparently left Kyly with the main house and Michael with his Bondi apartment.
Recent Times: After a brief thing with fashion designer Pip Edwards, Michael started dating interior designer Jade Yarbrough in 2022. That relationship hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when they had a public fight in early 2023. Jade accused him of cheating with Pip, things got physical, and the whole mess was caught on camera.
The Money Side
Michael’s sitting pretty with about $22 million in 2025. That comes from:
- His playing career (those Cricket Australia contracts weren’t small)
- Commentary work (he’s everywhere during cricket season)
- The Beyond 23 podcast
- Smart investments (he’s got a stake in Bevmart drinks company)
- Endorsement deals that keep rolling in
The divorce cost him big – that $40 million settlement with Kyly was no joke. But he’s rebuilt nicely through media work and business deals.
Life After Cricket
Michael’s found his groove as a cricket commentator. During IPL 2025, he was one of the main voices, getting sit-downs with Indian players and breaking down the tactical side of things. The Beyond 23 podcast has become must-listen content for cricket fans.
Earlier this year, he became the 64th person inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Not bad for a kid from Liverpool who had back problems at 17.
FAQ
Question | Answer |
---|---|
What is Michael Clarke’s highest Test score? | 329* against India at Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2012 |
How many Cricket World Cups did he win? | Two – 2007 as a player and 2015 as captain |
What is Michael Clarke’s net worth in 2025? | Estimated at $22 million |
Why did Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle break up? | Media scrutiny over leaked intimate photographs in 2010 |
What is the Beyond 23 podcast? | Clarke’s cricket podcast featuring player interviews and analysis |
When was he inducted into the Hall of Fame? | 2025 – became the 64th member of Australian Cricket Hall of Fame |
What was his IPL career like? | One season with Pune Warriors India (2012) – 100 runs in 6 matches |
How successful was he as captain? | Led Australia to 2015 World Cup and 5-0 Ashes win in 2013-14 |