Michael Clarke to retire after Ashes
Clarke, who made his Test debut in 2004, will be playing his last match at The Oval in the fifth match of the ongoing Ashes series where his side will merely fight to regain some lost ground following the surrender at Trent Bridge.
Clarke was facing criticisms following his poor form with the willow and his side's poor show in the prestigious Ashes series.
He has averaged only 16 from last eight innings.
In his eventful career, Clarke has played 114 Test matches, scored 8628 runs at an average of 49.30. His highest score remains 329 not out and has scored 28 hundreds in addition to the 27 half centuries.
Clarke had rocked the Indian batting line up with figures of 6-9 though his bowling performance but he has lost the sting with his bowling arm over the years.
Till date it remains his best bowling performance. He has 31 test wickets at an average of 38.19 and have taken 'fifer' twice.
Clarke scored 151 in his debut innings, a feat he achieved against host’s India in October 2004.
A world Cup winning captain,Clarke retired from ODI cricket earlier this year after his team lifted the ICC World Cup.
He top scored in the big final with a 72 ball 74. Upon his dismissal, he received a standing ovation from some 93,000 odd spectators present at the MCG.
“You never want to walk away. My performances over the last twelve months have not been acceptable to me. I want to play the last Test at The Oval and give it one more crack, the time is right,” Clarke was quoted as saying cricket.com.au
He said, “I have been very lucky to have played over a hundred Test matches for Australia. When I came into the team there were 10-11 older brothers or fathers and I hope I have been able to help out a few guys myself.”
He added, “It is the right time to walk away and give the next captain time to prepare for the next Ashes series.”
Aussie legend, Shane Warne posted a picture of him and Clarke and tweeted: Congrats on a great career buddy. You always led the team beautifully & made the Australian team…
Ex- England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "Great Captain .. Great player .. Huge amount of Respect for @MClarke23 .. #Ashes."
Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne tweeted: "Congrats on a great career buddy. You always led the team beautifully & made the Australian team."
Image: Wiklimedia Commons
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