Published: Aug 09, 2015, 11:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 09, 2015, 11:03 AM (IST)
Australia captain Michael Clarke on Saturday confirmed that he will be retiring after the fifth Test of the Ashes 2015, which England regained after their emphatic win in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge by an innings and 78 runs. The third day morning began with unconfirmed reports emerging from the Australian camp that Clarke informed his men before the start of the play that his time was up. Clarke said after the defeat in the fourth Test that he would give it one more crack in the final Test at The Oval, a dead rubber as far as the result of the series is concerned as Australia have already conceded to England 3-1. ALSO READ: England regain Ashes, annihilate Australia by an innings and 78 runs in 4th Test at Trent Bridge
Clarke was quoted as saying by the official Twitter account of Cricket Australia (CA), “I want to play the last Test at The Oval and give it one more crack. the time is right.You never want to walk away. My performances over the past 12 months have not been acceptable to me.Test cricket is about the Ashes. We tried our best, I certainly tried my best but we got outplayed. It’s time for the next generation.”
He continued, “I made a decision last night after I got home after the day’s play. I didn’t know until I made the decision. It’s the right time. Boys were surprised, I don’t think they expected me to walk away right now. I owe the game everything. I’ll take so many memories away. I’m looking forward to sitting and cheering the boys on. It’s the right time. Hopefully I’ll get a microphone and sit beside you in the commentary box if Channel Nine will have me.”
With inputs from AFP.
