Michael Clarke retirement: chronic injuries and form behind decision

Michael Clarke retirement:  chronic injuries and form behind decision
1 HOUR AGO AUGUST 08, 2015 9:41PM


Michael Clarke announces international cricket retirement

SAY what you want about Michael Clarke, but he will go down as one of the finest players and captains Australia has ever seen.
A brilliant tactician and a man who was always ahead of the game in every respect.
The batsman and leader Australia could rely on through a tumultuous period in the country’s cricketing history to aim up under pressure.
Last week Clarke stated in an exclusive column that he would not retire.
But it would appear the magnitude of Australia’s tumultuous three-day loss at Trent Bridge has changed all that.

Michael Clarke with his great mate Phillip Hughes in South Africa.

Word is Clarke was not pushed by selectors, but this was a decision orchestrated with Darren Lehmann and Rod Marsh as a direct reaction to the horrors of handing over an Ashes series in these circumstances.
Clarke told his teammates on Saturday morning before play at Trent Bridge. Steve Smith will take over.
It’s understood Clarke is emotionally and physically drained after the most taxing summer Australian sport has ever seen.
His leadership throughout the Phillip Hughes tragedy was extraordinary and will forever form part of his legacy.
But losing such a close mate has taken its toll.

In a different respect, Clarke’s against-the-odds fightback to lead Australia through the World Cup has left him physically spent.

In the space of just a few weeks, Clarke overcame hamstring surgery, despite being written off by almost all and sundry.
After making a memorable half century in Australia’s Cup triumph at the MCG, Australian cricket took a break, and since returning to the Test arena, the 34-year-old simply hasn’t been able to rediscover the form that sees him retire with 28 centuries, just one short of the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.
There are certain innings Clarke will be remembered for.

The hundred he made amid severe back and hamstring pain in Adelaide, to honour Hughes who had died just days before.
A few months earlier there was the series-winning 161 not out he made in Cape Town to beat South Africa on their own soil.
Fronting up to Proteas paceman Morne Morkel all while carrying a broken shoulder, showed a tough side to Clarke that many had never realised.


The broken f***ing arm comment to Jimmy Anderson in the 2013-14 Ashes was another defining moment where the public were given an insight into the real Clarke.
The right-hander who always preferred to bat at No. 5 to No. 4, has averaged just 16.71 this Ashes series.
It’s the second lowest after Ricky Ponting averaged 16.14 back in 2010-11 — and lost the captaincy straight after.
His form had dropped alarmingly in recent months and his average dipped below 50, but his record as captain is first class — averaging 50 since taking over from Ponting back in 2011.
Clarke was the first captain to declare before you thought he would.
He was also Australia’s first Gen Y captain, and it took time for the Australian public to adjust to that.
There were the tattoos, the blond hair and the period where he was forced to leave a tour of New Zealand following dramas with his then fiance Lara Bingle.


Clarke has been a polarising figure and was once even booed in his own country.
But he was the man Australia needed in a trying period that came in the aftermath of legends like Shane Warne, Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matt Hayden retiring.
A number of spin bowlers and No. 3 batsmen tried through Clarke’s time reflect the lack of stability that has existed in the team throughout his time.

After Mickey Arthur was sacked on the last Ashes tour, it was the leadership of Clarke and Lehmann that resulted in Australia turning fortunes around just months later to claim a 5-0 whitewash on home soil.
Clarke was raised with good manners, taught well by his parents.
To this day, Clarke’s father would give him a clip over the ears if he speaks rudely to his mother.
Coming into the side originally as a one-day player, Clarke made instant waves when he scored a brilliant hundred in India for his debut Test.

His great footwork made him one of the great players of spin.
Australia will mass that aspect alone on their next tour of Bangladesh.
It hasn’t ended the way Clarke would have wanted.
But he can be proud of what he achieved.

two successive ashes series loosing in England will result in that,........ Plus there is division in the squad since Haddin did not regain his spot. Added to his own lost of form......only if the WI underachieving Captains do the same