Australian Skipper Michael Clarke announces retirement from ODI cricket following World Cup 2015 final

Australian Skipper Michael Clarke announces retirement from ODI cricket following World Cup 2015 final: The Australian cricket team is all set to play yet another final of the ICC Cricket World Cup, this time against trans-Tasman partner New Zealand. Aussie team led by skipper Michael Clarke cleaned up defending champions India in the semi-finals to clear the route to the final. If winning the cup for a record 5^th time was not enough motivation, they will be a furthermore intense, motivated and dedicated team as Captain Michael Clarke has decided to retire from the ODI format after Sunday’s Final.

Clarke has been suffering with quite a few injuries in recent times; and since the team looks set and in a better position from where he took over after the world cup 2011. It could well be the right time, if Australia is able to win the title it will be the most apt and a perfect sendoff for Clarke, who will be remembered for taking ahead the Legacy handed to him by Ricky Ponting.

He broke the news to the cricket world at the press meet organized for the captains to interact before the match. Clarke said, “I’ve just spoken to my teammates and spoken to (Cricket Australia CEO) James Sutherland and (National Selection Panel chairman) Rod Marsh and (Bupa Support Team head coach) Darren Lehmann and informed them tomorrow will be my last ODI for Australia.”

“It’s certanly been an honour and a privilege to represent my country, “I think it’s the right time for me and the Australian cricket team, “I was very fortunate four years ago to get the opportunity for me to captain this one-day team.” Added the skipper

Michael feels the way his body is coping up; it is not possible for him to carry along till the world cup 2019 in England so this is the right time to handover the team to a new skipper for him to have reasonable time to take the team into the next world cup.

“That was very good preparation for me leading up to this World Cup and I think the next Australian captain deserves the same opportunity.”I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect I’ll be fit and healthy and available for the next World Cup, so I believe it’s the right time.” He said

Who would he recommend to take over the office from him? Clarke said, “Smithy has certainly matured as a player and a person, “I don’t think it would be fair for me to go into who is going to be the next captain, it’s not my place. It’s up to the selectors.”

What prompted the skipper to take a decision over his retirement from limited over’s cricket? He isn’t too old to play 50 over’s cricket. Clarke said, “That’s obviously a priority for me to continue to be successful in the Test format. By walking away from one-day cricket it probably gives me my best opportunity. “I don’t feel bad about saying I feel that Test cricket is the toughest part of our game.

“I love that challenge. I see it as the pinnacle … I feel like I’ve still got a lot to offer the Australian Test team as captain.”

When did he take the decision? Was it after having a long discussion with the Coaches and his team mates?

“I think I got back to my house at about 12.30am. Kyly was in bed and that’s when I spoke to her about it, “I know I’ve made the right decision.”I told my teammates 10 minutes ago. I told the selectors and James Sutherland about an hour ago.” The Australian skipper said.

On more than one occasion Clarke has batted down the order in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the captain might do the same in the final as well, “If it’s best for the team for me to bat at No.4 I’ll bat at No.4. If it’s best for the team for me not to bat I won’t.”