Michael Clarke hijacked the World Cup final yesterday by announcing his retirement from the 50-over game, effective as of tonight.
The Australian skipper has made a habit of creating headlines when he’s not scoring runs in bucket-loads as he used to.
When his last hamstring snap surfaced on the final day of the first Test against India at Adelaide last December, Clarke told a stunned media conference, “There’s a chance I may never play again”.
From that point on there were daily headlines in all forms of the media of how Clarke was coping with his rehab after surgery.
It quickly reached saturation status to the point of boredom. Without any argument, Clarke’s hamstring was the most covered cricketing body part for some time.
But judging by his statements yesterday, today’s World Cup final will be his ODI swansong, just beating the tap on the shoulder from the national selectors.
So far in this tournament Clarke has scored 12, 68, 47, 8, and 10 for 142 runs at 29, well below his career average of 44.42.
As it sits, Clarke is fourth on the all-time Australian ODI run-getters, and seventh on the all-time list of Australian century-makers.
Ricky Ponting heads the runs scored list from a massive 404 games with 13704 at 42.03.
Adam Gilchrist is second on 9619 runs from 2897 games, at an average of 35.19.
Mark Waugh is third on exactly 8500 runs from 244 games, averaging 39.35.
And Clarke will be playing his 245th ODI today, having scored 7907 at 44.42.
Ponting also leads the Australian century-makers with 30, well ahead of Mark Waugh’s 18, Gilchrist’s 16, Matt Hayden’s 10, Geoff Marsh and Shane Watson’s nine, Clarke’s eight, Dean Jones’ seven, with three on six ODI tons – Aaron Finch, Andrew Symonds, and Michael Bevan. David Boon and Damien Martyn share five.
But there will have to be a major form reversal today if Clarke’s going to play a pivotal role in the outcome.
It’s far more likely to be captain-in-waiting and Australia’s best batsman Steve Smith, with David Warner, Finch, Glenn Maxwell, and Shane Watson getting among the runs when it counts.
All four are due.
But today doesn’t boil down the Clarke’s ODI retirement, it centres on four players – Smith and left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc, and the Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum, with his left-arm paceman Trent Boult.
Clarke will be saying to Starc get rid of the dangerous McCullum early, while McCullum will be saying to Boult to send the equally dangerous Smith packing as soon as possible.
Whatever the result, the two best-performed teams have made it to the decider.
For the Black Caps an historic first, but for the Australians a seventh final in 11 World Cups. They are far and away the most successful with four wins – 1987 with Allan Border as skipper, 1999 with Steve Waugh, with 2003 and 2007 under Ponting’s captaincy.
Will they lift the trophy again? Or will the Black Caps storm through the tournament unbeaten?
Jo M
Guest
I'm actually looking forward to them. Even in this article there are stats and whatnot, but no mention of a fantastic ODI career, just who was better. Clarke will probably be accused of hogging the strike or not letting anyone else bat or something.
Maggie
Guest
Yep, Clarke hijacked the World Cup all right. He led Australia to victory with brilliant field captaincy and by top scoring with 74 off 72 balls. What a poke in the eye to all the critics. Will David Lord and Geoff Lemon admit they were wrong tomorrow?
Antiwhippy
Guest
Goddamn at Clarke, stealing all the attention again by scoring a match-winning 50. Such a selfish cricketer. Doesn't think of the team at all.
Gazzatron
Guest
Ross Taylor for a ton!! You heard it here first!!!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Should be a cracker, come on Aussie !
JoM
Guest
Why would Michael Clarke mention Crowe in a press conference about Australia. Of course it is sad but that is for McCullum to speak about not an Australian. The Kiwis are playing for him. Our boys are playing for Phil Hughes who more than likely would have been in this squad. Nobody knows what might happen over the next 8 or 9 months. This game may well be the last one he pkays in Australia. I hope it isn't but who knows. In that case he deserves the same kind of send off that other great players have had.
Gremlins
Guest
I agree with you, David. Clarke hijacked the World Cup yesterday -- or he certainly attempted to do so. Despite his dislaimers that it wasn't all about him, he made the very next question about him. I was ashamed that an Australian captain could do this, especially given Martin Crowe's terminal illness (which didn't rate a mention). I just hope he does the same for the other forms of the game and leaves it for someone with inherent grace and dignity. Yes, he has been a wonderful cricketer, but that seems to be all that he sees himself as being. What a pity.
West
Guest
NZ, all the babe!!!! NZ need a few batters to stand up and a few early Ozzie wickets and it's all on man. Go BC!!!!!!!
Sunshine
Guest
Yes it's all well and good when we do it. It's not like we would ever rub sporting superiority in anyone's faces.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I can't explain this, but I feel really confident about this one. I think Australia should win it.
James in NZ
Guest
That's gracious of you to say. We'll be very proud of our boys no matter what way the final goes. I was reading on the Australian.gov immigration site that prior to 1970, net migration between the countries was Australian's moving to NZ. We're two countries that are very connected to each other. So either way no one really loses today in this ANZAC final.
Raugeee
Guest
My predictions: Australia will win by either 40 runs or 3 overs ( 6 wickets down either way ). I remember in 2007 Australia did a ODI tour of NZ just before the World Cup. The last match in Eden Park saw NZ chase down 340 for victory. Heaps of fans were saying " Kiwis to win World Cup" - they didn't even make the final. NZ just do not play nearly as well outside of NZ.
Raugeee
Guest
That's right! And the Davis Cup to boot.
Digby
Roar Guru
Well, the Black Caps are up against it, but I am excited, it's a two horse race and I believe they can do it. Here's hoping its a fitting finale to what I think has been an excellent tournament and good luck to both teams, particularly Clarke and Vettori who will be hanging up thier caps after today. The keys for me - Boult v Starc/Johnson - the better performing LH seamer will go a long way to deciding the outcome Williamson v Smith - the number 3 performance will be important today The Captains - decision making will be crucial in the field Thank you for your articles over the course of the tournament David and enjoy the match!
TahDan
Roar Guru
Going to be a cracker. Can't wait! Hope Australia gets up, but I've loved watching the Black Caps play, so will be pretty content to see them win too.
BargeArse
Guest
I agree .... a double victory must prevented at all costs. But hasnt Australia already done that in 1999.
Nudge
Guest
Yeah I'd go the kiwis 5 dollars and the Aussies 7.50
JGK
Roar Guru
Err... NZ is paying 3s just to win the cricket World Cup.
Phil Kiwi
Guest
That's right Ted, and at least the Cup stays in the back yard either way.
Crucial ligament
Guest
I agree- if NZ win two world cups this year then you could just imagine the bragging rights that would bring with it. Fortunately it's been done before - Australia in 1999 -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.