Published: Aug 17, 2015, 02:32 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 17, 2015, 02:32 PM (IST)
A video that reminds us of how good Michael Clarke was as a batsman a few seasons ago. Clarke led from the front as he smashed a superb 148 in Australia‘s first innings at the Adelaide Oval, to help his side post a massive total of 570 runs. Clarke, batting at N0. 4 in the good old days was able to bring his A game forward, after he had already completed a century in the first Test of the series at the Gabba in Brisbane. Clarke faced 245 balls and scored 148 runs with the help of 17 boundaries. Australia won the Test at the Adelaide Oval by a massive margin of 218 runs, and had taken a critical lead of 2-0 in the series. Australia went on to win the series by a margin of 5-0.
Clarke will be retiring after the end of the fifth and final series at The Oval, which starts on Thursday. Australia have already conceded the Ashes 2015 to England as the hosts are ahead in the series by 3-1 with one more Test to go. ALSO READ: Brendon McCullum says Australia will find a way out after Ashes 2015 defeat
On his retirement, Clarke told 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.” ALSO READ: Ricky Ponting backs Michael Clarke’s decision to retire after Ashes 2015
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.”
