Michael Clarke has outlined his hopes for Australia’s time of transition after signing off with an emphatic yet consolatory Test win.
Clarke and Chris Rogers were farewelled with an innings and 46-run victory in the fifth Ashes Test, rain providing more resistance than England on day four at The Oval.
It was a bittersweet exit – Clarke enforced the follow-on in the dead rubber, but finished with 132 runs in the five-Test series.
His men were the first Australian side to record two wins in an away Ashes since 2001, but lost 3-2.
“I don’t think regret is the right word. There’s disappointment,” he said.
The hand-wringing about the nation’s inability to perform in the showpiece series started long ago and it won’t stop until 2019, when England host the World Cup and Ashes.
It will be Steve Smith’s team then as it is now, Clarke having handed over the reins on Sunday when Peter Siddle dismissed Moeen Ali caught behind.
Clarke was hesitant to say too much about the side’s next challenge, much of which he is likely to watch from the Channel Nine commentary box.
But the 34-year-old hopes the void of experience left by the exit of himself, Rogers, Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin is not amplified by national selectors.
“There’s going to be opportunity for a few of the (young) batters,” Clarke said.
“I’d still like to see a few of the old heads stick around though.
“I don’t know if selectors are going to go with that – that’s up to them.”
Smith was named man of the match at The Oval, having scored 143 after Alastair Cook sent the visitors in.
Peter Siddle’s immaculate control made him Australia’s standout bowler, the Victorian finishing with figures of 4-35 from 24.4 overs in the second dig.
Siddle’s lack of a recall in the fourth Test was a contentious decision that Clarke didn’t want to weigh into.
“I am not silly enough to get into that,” Clarke said.
The skipper had a couple of public standoffs with selectors toward the end of his career and didn’t want to retire with another.
“I want to thank Boof and Rod for all their help and support throughout this series,” he said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter what XI you pick, if you play the way we have played in stages throughout this series you are not going to win.
“We let opportunities slide throughout the whole series.”
Almost three hours of play was lost on Sunday due to heavy showers, but it only delayed the inevitable.
Siddle claimed three of the four wickets to fall on day four, while Clarke was given a guard of honour by teammates at the end of play and received yet another standing ovation.
“Chris and I are sick of the attention,” Clarke said, having announced his retirement after Australia were skittled for 60 and ceded the urn at Trent Bridge.
“I don’t think it (the final game) could have gone any better.”
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