Five greatest middle-order batsmen for Australia in ODIs

#4 Michael Clarke (2003-2015)

Career Stats: Matches: 245 Innings: 223 Runs: 7981 Avg: 44.59 50s/100s: 58/8 S/R: 78.99

Having debuted in 2003, Michael Clarke quickly established himself as one of the key figures in the Australian batting line-up. His pristine timing and astute footwork particularly against the spinners set him apart from a lot of his contemporaries. Following Damien Martyn's retirement, Clarke was elevated to number five in the batting order, where he created an instant impact, notching up four consecutive fifties in the 2007 Cricket World Cup which Australia eventually won.

In a career that spanned over 12 years and was glittered with 8 hundreds & 58 fifties, Clarke's finest hour in International cricket came in 2007 in a rain-marred game at the very venue where he had scored an awe-inspiring hundred on debut - M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Australia had been pegged back by India's fast bowlers after deciding to bat in the series opener of the seven-match series in October 2007. Clarke, en route to a pristine 130 off 132 balls, then shared a 144 run partnership with Brad Haddin, propelling the Aussies to a competitive 7/307 in 50 overs. The innings was also testimony to Clarke's temperament and resilience as he had come into the game not fully fit.