BREAKING: Michael Clarke has announced he will retire from One Day International cricket after Sunday’s Cricket World Cup final.
The decision, which was announced in today’s pre-match press conference, has surprised some as he had stated in a recent press conference: “I have had injury concerns since I was 17 years of age and I have managed to play over 200 one-dayers and over 100 Test matches so it hasn’t stopped me to date. And I don’t think it will do after this series either.”
Clarke, who turns 34 next week, says he wants to prolong his Test career.
The decision was made by the Australian skipper only “48 hours ago” after his team’s win against India in the Cricket World Cup semi-final.
“I think I got back to my house at about 12.30. Kyly was in bed and that’s when I spoke to her about it. I know I’ve made the right decision.”
“I told my teammates 10 minutes ago. I told the selectors and James Sutherland about an hour ago.”
“I’m extremely thankful and grateful – I’ve just found out that tomorrow will be my 245th one-day game – it’s been an honour and a privilege to represent my country for that amount of games. I’m grateful to every player I have been lucky enough to play with and this team is no exception to that.
“I think it is the right time for me and the Australian team. I was very fortunate four years ago to get the opportunity to captain this one-day team. That was really good preparation for me leading up to this World Cup, I think the next Australian captain deserves the same opportunity.
“I don’t think it is realistic that I’ll be fit and healthy and available to play the next World Cup so I believe it is the right time.
“I think I’ll leave the one-day game for the Australian team in a better place than when I took over the captaincy.
“Last World Cup we were knocked out in the quarter-final, this World Cup we have been able to make the final and hopefully tomorrow we can go on and have success in that final. So two finals and one quarter-final for my time in World Cups.”
His battles with repeated back and hamstring injuries have been well documented, and it is believed his focus now moves to prolonging his Test career.
Clarke has scored 7,907 runs in 244 one-day internationals.
MICHAEL CLARKE’S ODI CAREER:
* Started in 2003 when he made 39 not out against England at Adelaide Oval
* Left out of the squad for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, which Australia won without dropping a game
* Dominated the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, scoring 436 runs at an average of 87.2
* Appointed vice-captain in 2008 after the retirement of Adam Gilchrist
* Led the side for the first time in 2008 when Ricky Ponting was injured, Australia winning by one run but Clarke copping a fine for the side’s slow over rate
* Scored eight in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final, when Australia’s hopes of a fourth straight crown were dashed by eventual champions India
* Ponting stepped down from the leadership post a week after the 2011 tournament, with Clarke becoming both Test and ODI captain
* Back and hamstring issues in 2013 and 2014 meant he played 11 of a possible 33 ODIs leading up to the 2015 World Cup
* Was passed fit for Australia’s second pool game in the 2015 World Cup, the deadline selectors had nominated for him to take part in the tournament after hamstring surgery
* Told teammates, selectors and Cricket Australia on Saturday that the 2015 World Cup final would be his last ODI
* ODI RUNS: 7907 at average of 44.42 (only Australians to have scored more are Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh)
* WORLD CUP RUNS: 814 at average of 62.61 (only Australians to have scored more are Ponting, Gilchrist, Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh and David Boon)
* HIGH SCORE: 130 in a ODI against India at Bangalore in 2007 that was washed out
* RECORD AS CAPTAIN: 49 wins from 73 ODIs
* ODI RUNS AS CAPTAIN: 2671 at average of 45.27
Sandy
Guest
Ok, that was funny.
Don Freo
Guest
The reason for my aggressive put down of your comment...and you...is your disrespectful way of talking about Michael Clarke. Steve, I'd you want people to respond to you like a respectable human being, it's a bit rich that you don't demand the same of yourself. There is no need to put down Clarke in the way you did. I can imagine the ferals around you who would be impressed by your machismo. Very weak.
Sandy
Guest
Hasn't Vettori also announced his retirement.
Jo M
Guest
Mike Hussey also did it. If he did it tonight after the game and we had lost, then people would say he had no heart or the team lost because of him. Can't win no matter what he does.
Birdy
Guest
Arrogant, yep your a gumboot !
Peter
Roar Rookie
But then you wouldn't be able to get another dig in.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Yep, what a stupid statement Steve. He can never catch a break, and he's one of the best captains this country has ever had. And shame on you for suggesting Clarke made Hughes' death about himself.
steve
Guest
Don - can I suggest you accept that others may have opinions different from your own You have a choice to agree or disagree....but do so like a respectable human being should. For the record, Clarke has been a great captain and player. He has led the team well. My original point was and still remains that he has taken the WC final and put himself at the forefront of the spectacle. He is not alone regarding not playing in the next world cup. At least 6 players will have retired by then. If Clarke was "all about the team" why not keep his retirement quiet until after the game and then share the headlines with the others that will also finish after this game. I don't think Clarke has been the difference between winning and losing the WC games...it was a team effort so let the team enjoy what maybe........ without distraction. I'm hoping that the Aussie team win....but I'm praying Clarke doesn't produce crocodile tears during his acceptance speech and use it as his own farewell speech.
Don Freo
Guest
That's a pathetic comment. So many prominent sports people do that. Last example was Dhoni. Marsh, Lillee, Greg Chappell, Ponting, McGrath, Warner, Hayden, Langer.... If it's Clarke pathetic l osers complain.
Don Freo
Guest
Today yes. In the future, no.
JeffRo
Roar Pro
Not a surprising announcement from Clark, but 36 hours before the WC final? Attention grabbing by a very good, but selfish player.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Smith is clearly in Clarke's camp, and has been for a long time. It's part of why he got the gig as captain: as well as his obvious leadership qualities, he has no allegiance to any particular part of the dressing room and Clarke respects him. Makes the transition that much easier.
Matt
Roar Rookie
This is true, it's also hard to do it coming it at 6 or 7. But that doesn't change the fact that a straight swap of him for Clarke is a massive gamble.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
This topic has been thoroughly commented on but I will add that I'm glad he made the announcement before the game. I don't think he's selfish for wanting to retire when he feels the time is right, he's certainly earned that privelege. If we lose today and he made the call then, the knockers would claim he had no ticker or some such rubbish. Sit back and enjoy what should be a great game.
Phil Kiwi
Guest
And especially in your own back yard!
Phil Kiwi
Guest
Not a good way to retire. Being wupped by li'l Bro,that is.
Benny
Guest
I'm not denigrating Marsh at all, didn't mean it that way. I rate Marsh very highly and think he's got a massive future in the Australian team. But if Aus get down 2 for 40 today, I would much rather Smith and Clarke, two steady, run a ball, batsmen at the crease, over Marsh, Maxwell, Watto and Haddin as our next 4 batsmen to get us out of trouble. Just an experience thing, which Clarke has a hell of a lot of
Don Freo
Guest
Duh...no kidding?
Jo M
Guest
It also shows two guys who are very comfortable with each other sitting their laughing their heads off, doesn't look like too much dislike between them
Armchair Expert
Guest
You have more chance of winning lotto than S.Marsh being named captain Don.