By Jesse Hogan
Michael Clarke has given a warm endorsement of Steve Smith as his successor as he begins preparing to captain Australia for a 47th and final time to end an Ashes series now officially lost to England.
Clarke confirmed his retirement in the aftermath of England inflicting a crushing innings and 78-run defeat on Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. News of his impending retirement spread just before the start of the third, and ultimately final, day of play in Nottingham.
The captain broke the news to coach and selector Darren Lehmann just after 6am on Saturday. He said he made the decision to retire in conjunction with wife Kyly and his family after day two, and after notifying Lehmann later shared the news with teammates and the rest of the Australian team hierarchy.
"The selectors didn't speak to me at all about being dropped or standing down or retiring. I made the decision late [on Friday] night with my beautiful wife, spoke to my family, and then this morning I had a conversation with Darren Lehmann and [chief selector] Rod Marsh and told them what I was going to do. They were both extremely respectful and thankful of what I've given Australian cricket," Clarke said.
Over and out: Clarke.Credit: Getty Images
"They [teammates] respected my decision and all went out of their way to congratulate me after my decision."
Clarke insisted it was "the right time" for him to depart.
"I think as a player you build yourself up for big tournaments. The World Cup was that in one-day cricket, and Ashes cricket is that in Test matches. Unfortunately I haven't played as well as I would have liked and I think it's the right thing and the right time to give the Australian team and the next captain that chance to prepare for the next Ashes series," he said.
While Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards issued a statement wishing Clarke the best for "his final Test" the player confirmed the issue had not been discussed between he, Marsh and Lehmann.
"It didn't come up at all. I didn't have that conversation," he said.
When Clarke was asked if he, when was a selector, would have voted for the retention of a player in his position of averaging just over 16 for the series he replied: "I'm not a selector. I don't have to worry about it."
Coach Lehmann later confirmed Clarke would play in the series-ending Test and that he would retain the captaincy for his 115th and final match of his Test career.
Clarke was emphatic on the eve of Trent Bridge that the result of the match, and the series, would have no bearing on his playing future. After the match ended he explained that was partly an attempt to motivate his teammates.
"There's no doubt I tried to be as positive as I possibly could, right to the end. For the team's sake, for my sake as well I wanted to give myself and the team every opportunity to come out here and play our best cricket in this Test match. I wanted to send a really positive message to my teammates so I thought that was the right thing to do at the time."
Clarke said his decision to retire was not difficult "if you've performed the way I've performed in this series".
"As captain of the team my performances have been nowhere near the level and the standard they need to be an Australian cricketer and to be captain," he said.
"The boys have worked hard, I don't blame anyone in that change room. As a team we haven't performed as well as we needed to be beat England, and as a captain I certainly haven't led from the front."
Clarke gave a warm endorsement to his deputy, Steve Smith, taking over the captaincy.
"I think 'Smithy' is ready . . . [but] it's not my place to say who is the next captain. That will be decided by the selectors," he said.
"'Smithy' had the opportunity through the Australian summer [when I was sidelined] and showed that he's going to make a good captain. Only time will tell [if he is ready now] but I've certainly got faith in him."
Clarke reiterated his belief "cricket owes me nothing, I owe it everything". He declined to say what he thought his legacy would be.
"That will be dictated by others, I think. For me, it was about giving everything I had to the team and I think I've done that," said Clarke, about his decorated 11-year Test career that has ended on a low.
"At the end of the day you can only do your best, and unfortunately sometimes that's not good enough."