Ashes 2015: Twitter lauds ‘great captain, great player’, Michael Clarke
Nottingham: Australia captain Michael Clarke said Saturday he "hadn't led from the front" as he announced he would retire from international cricket after this month's fifth Ashes Test against England at The Oval.
The 34-year-old made his announcement after England completed a crushing innings and 78 run victory over Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match Ashes series.
"I will have one more Test and that is the end of my career," said Clarke during the post-match presentation ceremony.
"I am retiring from international cricket. I don't want to jump ship now so I will have one more go at The Oval," he added after reports in Australian media earlier Saturday that he was about to end his Australia career. (Photo: AP)
The fifth Test starts at The Oval, in south London, on August 20. Clarke, one of the best batsmen of his generation but plagued by a longstanding back problem and more recent hamstring trouble, is in a desperate run of form, having reached 25 just six times in his last 30 Test innings.
"There's no doubt I'll always hold myself accountable, my performances haven't been anywhere they need to be," said Clarke.
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"I don't blame anyone in the changing room, but I haven't led from the front. I started this great game at six years of age and I think it's the right time to walk away now. When I first came into the team I had 11 older brothers helping me get into a position where I can help the team and hopefully I've done that," Clarke, who had tears in his eyes, said.
Clarke has made 28 Test centuries, one short of Australia batting great Donald Bradman's tally, in his 114-match career.
The sporting world paid rich tributes to the Australian captain. Here are some of them.
He might have called it time on his career but @MClarke23 has left a lot of memories to cherish #ThankYouMichael pic.twitter.com/aiXvClmqfT
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 8, 2015
If it’s true @MClarke23 is retiring, I’d like to pay tribute to a great player & leader, especially after death of Phillip Hughes.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 8, 2015Congrats @MClarke23 on a great career. Many memorable battles against the Proteas for sure. All the best for the future.
— hashim amla (@amlahash) August 8, 2015Congrats to @MClarke23 on a magnificent career and also to your lovely wife @KylyClarke . You deserve every accolade. Enjoy the next phase.
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) August 8, 2015A lot of respect on the England balcony for Michael Clarke... pic.twitter.com/iIx1giBC0v
— James Anderson (@jimmy9) August 8, 2015Sad to hear @MClarke23 is retiring - a fine captain and batsman who scored a great century here in '09 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/Fiqqfd2hcC
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) August 8, 2015See you in Melbourne as our skipper, @MClarke23! Magnificent career! Be real proud of yourself! T20 train is LOTS of fun! @StarsBBL x
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 8, 2015Congratulations to Michael Clarke on a brilliant career. He's the best player of spin I bowled at and a bloody good bloke to boot
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) August 8, 2015Great Captain .. Great player .. Huge amount of Respect for @MClarke23 .. #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 8, 2015@MClarke23 well done Pup on a GREAT CAREER. You are truly one of the greatest Aust cricketers Australia has produced!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) August 8, 2015Michael Clarke has been one of the really fine players of our era. Part of me hoping he gets stuck in today.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 7, 2015People not supporting skipper @MClarke23 will have egg on their face at the end of the next test. Class is permanent & form is temporary !!
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) August 3, 2015Michael Clarke's retirement confirmed by Cricket Australia. Will happen after the last Test. An era ends.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 8, 2015