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.”
Roger
Guest
This is the first time I've weighed in on one of your comments David unlike many posters here. I think you're way out of line and should have a good look at why you have such an aversion to M Clarke. My amateur psychology would suggest that you are driven by a fair dose of envy old man.
Maggie
Guest
Mr Lord, do you look at people between the ages of 20 and 40 when you walk down the street? Something like 50% of them (male AND female) in the centre of Sydney where I live have tattoos. You might not like them (I don't either), but so what? It is a fashion statement not a measure of suitability to captain the Australian cricket team.
Nudge
Guest
Correct JoM. And of course, it is hard to even imagine what the Hughes family have gone through and of course are still going through. Maybe Clarke wore the armband just to give the Hughes family a reminder the Aussie boys are still thinking about him everyday.
Maggie
Guest
Thank you Jo, I have really appreciated your comments from time-to-time about Michael Clarke. I have never met him but I have nothing but enormous respect and admiration for him. He seems to me to be a really decent, caring man who has been maliciously misrepresented by many.
Maggie
Guest
Mr Lord, you have no right to make judgement on how others handle grief when someone dear to them dies. Symbolism helps many people: that's why we see memorial plaques, in memorium notices, flowers laid. Jarrad McVeigh wore a black armband for two years after his baby daughter died four weeks after her birth. Ryan O'Keefe wore one for three years after his younger brother died in a car crash. Your suggestion that Michael Clarke has worn an armband as a "sympathy card", or to seek attention, only shows your own lack of compassion.
JoM
Roar Rookie
There are plenty more of those stories that never ever get mentioned, my own son was the beneficiary in one of them. I have nothing but good to say about him and the times that my son has even played in a game with him and was given nothing but encouragement, no ego there, none of the so called perceptions that people seem to have. Mr Lord's very obviously dislike for Michael Clarke in these comments and other articles he has written are there for all to see. He isn't playing any sympathy card at all. It is more that people don't realise what a deep impact that whole thing has had on him to the point that he is still getting very upset when it is mentioned. He hasn't coped with the grief well at all and a lot can't see that.
Nudge
Guest
Shut him up quick smart WB
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Lordy as Captain of the Australian team he is under the microscope more than most people in the country, the scrutiny and media is part and parcel however it's a two way street. I lost a good mate four years ago, his son is a passionate cricket player and big fan of Clarke. Within 2 weeks of my mate's passing his son received a signed bat and letter from Clarke, what a great gesture. I'm sure there are many more of those stories / gestures that go unnoticed in regards to Clarke. He was a great batsmen and captain irrespective of personality. You must be happy he has retired.
David Lord
Expert
WB, David Warner and Steve Smith were just as badly affected by Phil's death, but they didn't play the sympathy card, they suffered in slence as do many others when someone close dies. Not Michael Clarke, he's got to keep telling the world. I'll make you a prediction WB, there will never be another caucasian cricket captain of Australia covered in tatts. NEVER.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Well done to Pup and Rogers finishing off there careers with a win. Lordy your harsh on Clarke, if he chooses to wear a black armband to remember his great mate then so what, it's his choice. Obviously he isn't your cup of tea, I thought he was stoic and showed great leadership during the Phil Hughes tragedy and aftermath.
David Lord
Expert
Rob, you have quoted Clarke is sick of the attention he's receved on his retirement. Attention is all that Clarke has ever craved for throughout his entire career, he's a past master of using the sympathy card. No better example than the black armband in remembrance of Phil Hughes who died on November 27 last year. Clarke wasn't the only Australian who was deeply affected by Phil's death, but they weren't wearing a black armband nine months later. Will Clarke keep wearing the armband when he hits the so-called top end of town, and when he's commentating on Channel 9? The sympathy card has a used by date.
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
The reason Australia takes until the morning of the game to name its' team is because that is how the ICC rules may be applied. Rod Marsh was within his rights to pick Pete Siddle over Darren Lehmann and Mike Clarke's wishes, which was to have Pat Cummins as the 4th quick on the morning of the match. Great that this story has gotten out because it is very positive. But the tenor of Marsh's decision is like all his decisions this Ashes Series. He has opted for age and experience in all places...first! Then when his team fell apart because they were too old and injured and distracted...he had nowhere to go. Siddle was the last card he played. Haddin, Harris, Watson, Clarke, Voges, have had little or no impact on Australia's 2-3 loss of the series. Steve Smith could easily have captained from the First Test, and players such as Pat Cummins, Pete Siddle, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Joe Burns, Mitch Marsh, Michael Clarke could have always been in the squad selected for the West Indies and then England. I see no reason not to have done that. Michael Clarke could have toured without the responsibility of captaincy.....and Smith could have continued on after the Indian Series back in Oz and captained in the World Cup. No reason why Clarke couldn't have played in the World Cup or on any of the Tours...and had he failed, he could have been dropped. So the non-selections of the 2 Marshes in more than a couple of Tests, Maxwell, Burns, Cummins, Siddle also being left out, has meant Australia have been overweight with aged, distracted and injured players past their prime. The worst example is Ryan Harris. Best bowler in English conditions Australia has ever had...but he knew and the Selectors knew that his knee was bad even before he lobbed in London to start the tour. Siddle and Cummins should have been available for the First Test. I hope that Cricket Australia, Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann learn by these mistakes. Australia is a proud cricketing nation...the best in the world...and the decision making has not been positive towards younger players for too long now. ARTHUR PAGONIS MANAGING DIRECTOR AUSTRALIA GLOBAL TRADING PTY LTD 10 HERTZ WAY, MORLEY, W.A. 6062 AUSTRALIA PH. 61.8.9377 3833, FAX 61.8.93773877, MOBILE 61. 409918874 SKYPE: apagonis2 WEB: www.ausglobaltrading.com