With an aching heart and back, Michael Clarke’s legend grew.

He has gone from accused of being selfish to selfless; from labelled hedonistic to heroic.

Clarke, his banged-up back wrapped in bandages, has scored another Test century.

He’s produced match-winners, game-savers and crowd-pleasers in the past; he’s batted with more flair and flourish, with greater daring and dash.

But given the circumstances of his ton of courage against India in the first Test in Adelaide, his 28th Test century ranks as a high-point in his lofty cricket career.

Clarke’s century came after he carried his team through unheralded grief at the death of his “little buddy” Phillip Hughes.

Hughes’ demise hit Clarke hard. But it also washed away simmering controversy between the captain and his Cricket Australia bosses.

The head honchos were muttering about Clarke defying them in his planned recovery from a hamstring strain sustained in a one-day international on November 14.

“I will speak to Michael … to make sure I understand where these things have gone awry,” CA’s chief executive James Sutherland said three weeks ago.

In cricket’s staid world, that’s as close to a public bollocking of a national captain you’ll find.

The spat became inconsequential when Hughes died after being felled by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game.

Clarke spent days at Hughes’ hospital bedside, earning universal acclaim for his fortitude in crisis.

He delivered what he been described as the most impressive speech by an Australian cricket captain, his touching eulogy at his fallen mate’s funeral.

Clarke couldn’t hide his grief. But he hid his hamstring injury enough to be declared fit for the first Test.

He skipped to 60 not out on Tuesday but then was forced to retire hurt – his chronic back problem, three degenerative discs – again flaring.

He had injections to soothe the spasms and on Wednesday he shuffled out to resume his knock.

He ran gingerly; grimaced frequently.

But he scored freely enough to reach a memorable milestone.