Michael Clarke Will Retire After Ashes Series Ends

Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced that he will retire from international cricket following the climax of this year’s Ashes, which his side lost to England with one Test remaining.

The 34-year-old led the Aussies to a humiliating defeat by an innings and 78 runs, in the fourth Ashes Test on Saturday to confirm the hosts’ triumph, but he’ll be sticking around for the fifth and final Test on August 20—as per the Guardian:

"

I want to play the last Test at the Oval and give it one more crack. 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.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

Although the 2015 series was a low point for Clarke, there’s no denying that the batsman has enjoyed one of the most fruitful careers in cricket history.

From leading Australia to being the No. 1-ranked Test side in the world and dishing England a painful whitewash in the 2013/14 Ashes, Clarke has been at the forefront of everything positive about Aussie cricket.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

His batting has gotten them out of jail on endless occasions, while his leadership is something that presumptive new skipper Steve Smith will struggle to replicate.

Naturally, the praise came in thick and fast for Clarke, who broke down in tears during an interview as he revealed his decision to step down.

Former England spin bowler Graeme Swann and ex-skipper Michael Vaughan were among those applauding Clarke’s remarkable career:

His final bow will come at the famous Oval in a couple of weeks, where he’ll undoubtedly be looking to go out in style with a century or two.

So while England may have earned the bragging rights over the old enemy this time around, even they will stop and doff their caps to one of the greatest cricketers of his generation.