Clarkes expecting first pup

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and wife Kyly shared their baby news via Twitter. Photo / Getty Images

Australian sporting greats and celebrities have taken to social media to congratulate cricket captain Michael Clarke and wife Kyly on their baby news.

The couple announced on Twitter that they are expecting their first child and the sportsman says he "can't wait to meet baby Clarke".

Australian bowling legend Shane Warne was among the first to pass on his congratulations. "Congrats guys! So happy for you both," he tweeted yesterday.

Clarke's former teammate Glen McGrath was equally as excited. "Congratulations guys, well done. @saramcgrath11 & I are so happy for you both," he wrote on Twitter.

Tracy Bevan - the wife of former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan and director of the McGrath Foundation - tweeted: "Huge congrats @KylyClarke @MClarke23 on your baby news! I can't wait to meet him/her".

Former Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch also chimed in, tweeting: "Massive congratulations to the gorgeous @KylyClarke & @MClarke23 on bubby news! So exciting."

Today Show co-host Lisa Wilkinson took the chance to link the announcement to the impending Ashes series in the UK: "On this 1st day of the #Ashes huge congrats to @MClarke23 & the fabulous @KylyClarke on news that they're expecting their first child."

The Clarkes have not announced a due date or the gender of the baby.

Social media has been a favourite medium for the high-profile couple to announce family news, the sporting star breaking the news of his nuptials to Kyly in 2012 via Twitter.

- AAP