Published: Mar 28, 2015, 09:08 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 28, 2015, 10:06 AM (IST)
Australian captain Michael Clarke announced in the press conference before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final against New Zealand at Melbourne on Sunday, that it will be his last game in coloured clothing for Australia. His retirement though does not come as a surprise as injuries plagued the latter half of his career and his decision to retire from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) is to prolong his Test career.
Making his debut in 2003, Clarke was always regarded as a successor to Ricky Ponting ever since he started performing. Many experts of the game rated highly of his captaincy. In an ODI career spanning 12 years, Clarke is the fourth highest scorer in ODIs for Australia. He has scored 8 ODI tons with 57 fiftes. His aggressive captaincy was the highlight of his ODI career. In the recent years though due to his back injury he missed a lot of games for Australia.
Both he and Australia will be hoping this motivates the team to do even better in the final tomorrow and make it a memorable one for all the Australian cricket fans around the globe.
Following are the Twitter reactions following his ODI retirement news:
Clarke to quit ODI cricket after the World Cup final…Clarke-the batsman will surely be missed but Clark-the captain will be missed more.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 28, 2015
Proud of you @MClarke23 and all you have achieved. Can’t wait to watch your last game as Captain! #MCG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fK6zPwZqwE
— K Y L Y C L A R K E (@KylyClarke) March 28, 2015
Wow can’t say I am surprised but respect the decision @MClarke23 has made 2 retire from ODI. #CWC15 #outontop pic.twitter.com/njpVQI518o
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) March 28, 2015
Been on the trip long enough to witness first hand retirement announcements of Alviro Petersen from Int’l cricket and of Clarke from ODIs.
— Subash Jayaraman (@thecricketcouch) March 28, 2015
@Jesse_Hogan @MClarke23 Great career, well played, right timing to retire ODIs & good luck to him in the final @CricketAus
— Jim Wilson (@Jim_Wilson7) March 28, 2015
Clarke’s impending retirement was obvious moment he approached the Melb Stars wanting to join team. Only works if he stands down from ODIs
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 28, 2015
Right move for Clarke to retire from ODIs. Expect to see him in green next summer though
— Chloe Saltau (@chloejane32) March 28, 2015
Clarke’s retirement makes Steve Smith’s pivotal semi-final century look even more like a captain’s innings. @cricketworldcup #cwc15
TRENDING NOW
— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) March 28, 2015
