Australian captain Michael Clarke to retire from one-day cricket after final against New Zealand

  Australian captain Michael Clarke to retire from one-day cricket after final against New Zealand

29th March 2015, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Australian captain Michael Clarke has announced that the World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday will be the last time he plays ODI cricket. Clarke made the announcement at the pre-match press conference on the eve of the final in Melbourne. "I'm extremely thankful and grateful - I've just found out that tomorrow will be my 245th one-day game - it's been an honour and a priviledge to represent my country for that amount of games. I'm grateful to every player I have been lucky enough to play with and this team is no exception to that." "I think it is the right time for me and the Australian team. I was very fortunate four years ago to get the opportunity to captain this one-day team. That was really good preparation for me leading up to this World Cup, I think the next Australian captain deserves the same opportunity. I don't think it is realistic that I'll be fit and healthy and available to play the next World Cup so I believe it is the right time.

Australia vs New Zealand, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Final

  Australia vs New Zealand, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Final

29th March 2015, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

29th March 2015, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne After six long weeks of cricket, the destination of the 2015 World Cup will be fought for between the two co-hosts Australia and New Zealand at the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Australia secured a place in their sixth final with an ultimately comfortable 95-run win over defending champions India, while New Zealand made it through to their first ever final when beating South Africa in a semifinal thriller. New Zealand, who have qualified for the summit clash for the first time in 11 editions, will take on Australia who not only have the highest number of world titles but also would be competing in the final for the seventh time starting from their first in 1975.

India vs Australia Match Highlights, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 2nd Semi Final

New Zealand vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, 4th Quarter Final

Game 48, 26th March 2015, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia

The second Semi-Final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be played between the host Michael Clarke-led Australia and one of the two unbeaten teams of this ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, MS Dhoni's India, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on March 26, 2015. Rival captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India and Michael Clarke of Australia may have their hands full trying to keep frayed tempers in check during a potentially explosive World Cup semi-final on Thursday. "India versus Australia semifinal is a bigger game than an India versus Pakistan match," Ganguly said on STAR Sports. The winner of this match moves directly to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final against New Zealand, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 29, 2015.

India vs Australia, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 2nd Semi Final

India vs Australia, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 2nd Semi Final

Game 48, 26th March 2015, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia

The second Semi-Final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be played between the host Michael Clarke-led Australia and one of the two unbeaten teams of this ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, MS Dhoni's India, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on March 26, 2015. Rival captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India and Michael Clarke of Australia may have their hands full trying to keep frayed tempers in check during a potentially explosive World Cup semi-final on Thursday. "India versus Australia semifinal is a bigger game than an India versus Pakistan match," Ganguly said on STAR Sports. The winner of this match moves directly to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final against New Zealand, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 29, 2015.