DECEMBER 2005 - Makes Sheffield Shield debut for Tasmania, and quickly rises to prominence as Australia's likely next wicketkeeper with a double-century the following summer.

AUGUST 2009 - Plays for Australia for the first time, taking the gloves in an ODI against Scotland and scores 29no in the 189-run win.

JULY 2010 - Makes his Test debut alongside Steve Smith against Pakistan at Lord's. Looks set to keep the gloves after also touring India.

NOVEMBER 2010 - Cops a blow to the thumb from a Dirk Nannes delivery in an exhibition match, prompting long-running injury concerns and eventually his fall out of Tasmania's team.

FEBRUARY 2017 - Gets an unlikely recall to the national set up when he plays in a home T20 series while Australia's Test stars are preparing to tour India.

NOVEMBER 2017 - Is called in to lead an inexperienced Cricket Australia XI while out of Tasmania's state side. Impresses, and is suddenly thrown into team for first Ashes Test just weeks later.

MARCH 2018 - Suddenly becomes Australia's 46th captain when Steve Smith and David Warner are suspended following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

SEPTEMBER 2019 - Becomes the first Australian men's captain to retain the Ashes in England since Steve Waugh in 2001, with a 2-2 series draw.

JANUARY 2021 - Apologises to teammates for letting them down in the Sydney Test against India after sledging goes over-the-top. Australia later lose at the Gabba and drop a second straight home series to India, as pressure mounts on his captaincy.

NOVEMBER 2021 - Quits as Australia's captain after explicit messages he sent to a Cricket Tasmania colleague on eve of 2017 Ashes Test become public. Stresses he had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing by Cricket Australia integrity unit investigation, and also insists he wants to play on.

Australian Associated Press