By the time he reached his 30s the kid called Pup had matured into the world's premier batsman.
The high-water mark came in 2012, when he amassed 1595 test runs, including a monumental triple century against India on his home ground at the SCG.
But in what has turned out to be his final season, much of it has turned to dust. Or ashes.
The danger is he will be remembered not for his dancing feet but his ungainly dismissals in the 2015 Ashes.
History suggests this won't happen -- Ponting, Steve Waugh and Allan Border all faced protests that they hung on for too long but are remembered as legends of the sport.
As a captain, Clarke moulded a side that was at a low ebb after suffering a rare home Ashes loss in 2010-11.
He did not have the luxury of throwing the ball to Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, but he was as fiercely competitive and aggressive as any of his predecessors.
The skipper rebuilt his team to the point where they downed England 5-0 in 2013-14 then defeated world No 1 test side South Africa 2-1 away.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, especially in India during "homework-gate".
There were schisms and spats -- just ask Shane Watson.
But Clarke would always be a source of support for teammates on the field.
Look at how Nathan Lyon prospered. Lyon, who has known only one test captain, developed from whipping boy to one of the world's best spinners.
The 27-year-old recently recalled Clarke's advice before his debut.
"Back your skill. No matter what happens, I've got your back," he said.
Lyon responded accordingly.
Many of Clarke's more unedifying episodes as captain came in defence of teammates.
Vulgar threats were made to Jimmy Anderson at the Gabba in 2013 because the English paceman was chipping George Bailey.
Words that so deeply offended Dale Steyn slipped out in anger in 2014 because the South African spearhead was rowing with James Pattinson.
The run-ins were part of a public persona that can only be described as complex.
Clarke tried to be many things to many people, but somehow always seemed to polarise the game's public.
Much of it was born out of a relationship with model Lara Bingle (now Worthington), which ended publicly and acrimoniously in 2010.
Many will remember reports of a ring being thrown down the toilet of Clarke's plush Bondi apartment, not that he scored a century against New Zealand in the first chance to make a statement with the bat after the break-up.
It was so often the way with Clarke.
Take, for example, a post-match row with Simon Katich, which came after Clarke scored 138 to put Australia on track for victory against South Africa at the SCG in 2009.
But Clarke didn't always help himself in this regard. A stiff upper lip would have ensured friction with selectors last year was kept largely behind closed doors. Instead it was on back pages across the country.
The extent of a fallout with former close friend Andrew Symonds showed when the former allrounder was one of the first to have a go at Clarke in the past fortnight.
Clarke either craved or hated the attention, depending on whom you asked. "My legacy will be dictated by others," he said last week.
"For me it was about giving everything I had to the team and I think I've done that."
That's certainly hard to argue with.
Skipper in need of special swansong
There was no fairytale ending at The Oval for Sir Don Bradman, but that's where Michael Clarke requires an unlikely 222 runs to finish with a career test average above 50.
History shows a googly from English wrist-spinner Eric Hollies 67 years ago denied Bradman a mind-blowing 100-plus test average.
Now Clarke returns to the famous London venue tonight with a long-shot chance of proving himself - by batting-average standards - at least half the batsman that the mighty Don was.
Until his recent run of outs, Clarke seemed certain to join Bradman, Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Jack Ryder, Mike Hussey, Steve Waugh, Matthew Hayden and Allan Border as only the ninth Australian batsman to wind up with a 50-plus test average.
But after watching his average dip to 49.30 after compiling just 117 runs in eight digs during Australia's forgettable Ashes series, Clarke needs a special swansong to join one of cricket's most exclusive clubs.
The scenario is simple enough.
If he's dismissed twice, Clarke must tally 222 runs to finish with a half-century test average. Otherwise, he could rack up a big ton - which would equal Bradman's 29 test centuries - and perhaps set up a face-saving Australian victory to achieve the rare milestone.
A total of 172 runs in the fifth test would be enough, provided Clarke is only out once. Regardless of how he fares, Clarke will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest batsmen.
Test career of Michael Clarke
Debut 2004 v India at Bangalore
Tests: 114 (only seven other men have played more for Australia)
Runs: 8628 (only three other men have scored more for Australia)
100s: 28 (only four other men have scored more for Australia)
50s: 27
Highest score: 329 not out v India in January 2012, Sydney
Average: 49.30
Wickets: 31
Allan Border Medal winner: 2005, 2009, 2012, 2013
ICC cricketer of the year: 2013
ICC test player of the year: 2013
Record as captain since 2011
Tests: 46
Wins: 23
Losses: 16
Drawn: 7
Average: 52.41.
- AAP
