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.

"I'm hopeful it will prolong my Test career as well. That's obviously a priority for me, to continue to be successful in the Test format. I think by walking away from one-day cricket it probably gives me my best opportunity."

Clarke has played 244 ODIs for Australia, and made 7907 runs at an average of 44.42 with eight hundreds and 57 half-centuries. He led his country in 73 matches, of which Australia won 49. If Australia win Sunday's final, it will be Clarke's first World Cup trophy as captain.

Michael John Clarke 

Born April 2, 1981, Liverpool, New South Wales
Nickname - Pup, Clarkey

Playing role Middle-order batsman

Batting averages
Total Match 244
Innings 222
Runs-7907
Not out-44
Highst Score-130
Average-44.42
Strike Rate-78.81
100's - 8
50's - 57
4s - 655

6s - 52

Bowling averages
Total Match 244
Innings 106
Balls - 2585
Runs - 2146
Wickets - 57
Best bowling - 5/35
Average - 37.64

Economy - 4.98

ODI Debut
v England at Adelaide, Jan 19, 2003  39 Not out of 57 balls
Last ODI Will be
2015 World Cup Final vs New Zealand at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Mar 29, 2015

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