Name: Michael John Clarke
Nicknames: Clarkey, Pup and Nemo. (Was nicknamed 'Eminem' in the Australia dressing room on his one-day debut as his short dyed-blond hair made him resemble the American rap artist.)
Date of Birth: April 2, 1981
Place of Birth: Liverpool, NSW
Resides: Breakfast Point, NSW
Height: 178cm
Weight: 70kg
Marital Status: girlfriend, Lara Bingle.
Parents: Les and Debbie
Siblings: one sister, Leanne
First Job: Kingsgrove Sports Centre
First Cricket Team: Woodlands Park
Cricket Superstitions: None really, but he likes to listen to loud music before going in to bat.
Most Memorable Moment: 1st ING Cup win for NSW
Most Embarrassing Moment: None Yet
Music: Jon Bon Jovi
Favourite Food: Mum’s Rissoles
Favourite Drink: Strawberry Milk
Favourite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favourite Actor: Denzel Washington
Favourite Actress: Brittany Daniel
Favourite TV show: Dawson's Creek
Favourite Song: It’s My Life (Bon Jovi)
Ideal Job outside cricket: Formula One driver (Ferrari)
Other Favourite Sport: Rugby League
Fastest Bowler Faced: Brett Lee
Favourite Sporting Moment: Lance Armstrong’s 3rd Tour De France (after overcoming Cancer)
Most Admired Team Mate: Mark Waugh
Most respected umpire: His grandfather Ray - Never gave him out. & never will.
Hobbies: Beach, Watching footy
Career Ambition: To play 100 Test Matches for Australia
6 Guests at a Dinner Party:
1. Ricky Stuart
2. Britney Spears
3. Kylie Minogue
4. Eddie Murphy
5. David Beckham
6. Alyssa Milano

Test Matches : Batting and Fielding

Matches:29
Innings:43
Not outs:6
Runs:1728
Highest Score:151
Average:46.70
Strike Rate:56.67
100's:5
50's:6
Catches:23
Stumped:0

Test Matches : Bowling

Overs:49.2
Maidens:6
Runs :138
Wickets:8
Average:17.25
Best bowling in an innings:6-9
5 Wicket Bags:1
10 Wicket Bags:0
Strike Rate:37.00
Economy:2.79

One Day Internationals : Batting and Fielding

Matches:119
Innings:104
Not outs:25
Runs:3551
Highest Score:130
Average:44.94
Strike Rate:83.06
100's:3
50's:26
Catches:44
Stumped:0

One Day Internationals : Bowling

Overs:243.2
Maidens:3
Runs :1272
Wickets:35
Average:36.34
Best bowling in an innings:36.34
4 Wicket Bags:1
5 Wicket Bags:1
Strike Rate:41.71
Economy:5.22

Michael Clarke is the most exciting batting prospect in Australia since Ricky Pointing, his flair and stroke play has seen him compared him to exciting stroke makers like Doug Walters, Michael Slater and Ricky Pointing himself.

Michael Clarke began his rise by captaining the under19 side to the Youth World Cup 4 years ago in India. Then at the tender age of age 18, Clarke made his debut for the New South Wales Blues. This potential first came to light when Clarke made an enterprising 70 adding over 150 with Michael Bevan to win the ING cup final against West Australia. For 3 years running Michael Clarke was rated the most promising player in the country, and this culminated in Michael Clarke scoring his first century 2 years ago. Before the 2003/03 season, Clarke made his debut for the Australia 'A' tour with a pre-season tour to South Africa, where he made 2 50's. The season started with runs aplenty scoring over 1000 runs, with runs flowing off his bat and he was rewarded by being picked for Australia A against England where he scored an entertaining 50. With injuries to Darren Lehman, Michael was called up for his one day debut, where he was named man of the match taking 2 wickets and taking Australia home after the batting side collapsed.

Michael was not able to play another game and missed out on the calculations of the World Cup squad, such was Australia's depth at the time. Luck changed for the young buck when Damien Martyn withdrew from the one day squad for the West Indies and Clarke got his chance. Michael starred in the West Indies with a couple of well made 70's, helping steer Australia to a series win over the West Indies. Further injuries allowed Clarke to play a part in the TVS cup series in India. This time Clarke starred with the ball taking 4/43 against India with his left arm spin including the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, his performance led Australia to a surprise win. Michael did not star in the TVS cup series with the bat but made a well compiled 50, and displaced Brad Hogg as the regular spinner in the side.

With Injuries to Darren Lehman its a fair bet you will see Clarke wearing the green and gold this year in the one day international series this summer. Clarke will also play in the 3 day match against India for Australia A, and will captain Australia A in its 2 games against Zimbabwe. Clarke has also been rewarded with a county contract with Hampshire and will play for them this winter, so there is much in store for this future budding international star. Michael Clarke is not only a rising star, but a budding all rounder and a very talented fielder. The next 12 months and beyond has much in store for this young batsmen who has the future all but mapped out for him.