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Michael Clarke woke up his wife Kyly in the wee hours to surprise her with ODI retirement decision
Michael Clarke reveals as to when he told his wife Kyly Clarke about his ODI retirement.
Published: Mar 30, 2015, 12:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 30, 2015, 12:21 PM (IST)
Finally, on Sunday, it was the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 where Australia defeated New Zealand and lifted the coveted trophy for the fifth time. It also became a history in itself as Australia won the World Cup in five different continents. Outgoing skipper Michael Clarke got a memorable farewell at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with the triumph as this marked his last One-Day International (ODI). The win also meant a lot that paid homage to the former Australian batsman and Clarke’s dear friend ‘Phil Hughes’.
While it is celebrations for the Aussies all over, it is believed that Clarke woke up wife Kyly Clarke in wee hours on Friday to break the news to her about his resolution to hang up his boots from ODI cricket post the World Cup final. Earlier, Clarke thought that he could play the limited overs format till 2019 but after the semi-final win over India on Thursday, he changed his mind saying that it was impossible for him to carry on.
Nevertheless, Clarke will keep on playing Test matches. Steve Smith, who has been stand in skipper for Clarke this summer in the Border-Gavaskar series, is said to take the captaincy reigns in the 50-over game. Clarke revealed the news of his retirement to Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland and selectors on the weekend and informed his team later.
“I don’t think it’s realistic that I’ll be there, be fit and healthy and available to play the next World Cup, so I believe it’s the right time,” the 33-year old said in a report from Mid-Day.
“I think I leave the game, the one-day game for the Australian team in a better place than when I took over the captaincy, and I think the last World Cup we were knocked out in the quarter-final. I’m hopeful that it’ll prolong my Test career, as well, and that’s obviously a priority for me,” he added.
Yesterday, Clarke became the third Australian skipper after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting to lift the most coveted World Cup trophy.
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