Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced he will retire from Test cricket after the current Ashes series.
The 34-year-old, who has overseen a disastrous tour of England amid a personal slump in form with the bat, had stated before the fourth Test at Trent Bridge his intention to play on.
But with his team going down 3-1 in the series to Alastair Cook’s men at Trent Bridge with one game to go, Cricket Australia confirmed that Clarke will end his Test career at the conclusion of the match.
“I want to play the last Test at the Oval and give it one more crack,” said Clarke. The time is right. You never want to walk away. My performances over the past 12 months have not been acceptable to me.
“I’ll take so many memories away. I’m looking forward to sitting and cheering the boys on. It’s the right time.”
According to the Australian, Clarke was told there would be no place for him in the Test side after the tour, having averaged just 16.71 with the bat in his eight innings against England. And with vice-captain Steve Smith having already been lined up as his successor, the tourists will look to change leadership before the expect dead rubber at the Kia Oval.
