Aussie skipper Clarke drops retirement bombshell on eve of final
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Australia captain Michael Clarke made a shock announcement yesterday by saying yesterday’s World Cup final against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be his last One-Day International (ODI).
Clarke, who turns 34 next month, said it was the right time to retire from one-dayers in order to prolong his Test career and give his successor as ODI captain the opportunity to prepare fully for the next World Cup in England in 2019.
Clarke, who replaced Ricky Ponting as ODI skipper four years ago, said his priority now was to play Test cricket, which he said was the pinnacle of the sport.
He announced his impending ODI retirement at the start of his pre-match media conference on Saturday and said he had informed his teammates, Cricket Australia, chief selector Rod Marsh and coach Darren Lehmann before making his decision public.
“I think it’s the right time for me and the Australian cricket team,” Clarke told reporters.
“I was very fortunate to get the opportunity four years ago to captain this one-day team and that was really good preparation for me leading up to this World Cup and I think the next Australian captain deserves the same opportunity,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s realistic that I will be fit and healthy and available to play in the next World Cup, so I believe it’s the right time,” added Clarke, who has struggled with back and hamstring problems.
While Clarke said it was not for him to anoint Australia’s next ODI skipper, he praised 25-year-old Steve Smith’s contribution to the current Australian team.
“Smithy has certainly matured as a player and a person,” said Clarke of the number three, who made a superb hundred in Australia’s semi-final win over defending champions India in Sydney on Thursday.
“I don’t think it would be fair for me to say who’s going to be the next captain, that’s not my place, that’s up to the selectors.
“Smithy is certainly someone who will be spoken about.”
Clarke has played 244 ODIs, scoring 7,907 runs at an average of more than 44, with a highest score of 130.
He said he would leave the Australia one-day team in better shape than the one he inherited in 2011.
