Australia's Ashes defeat has prompted captain Michael Clarke to announce his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his illustrious international career.
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Michael Clarke to retire from Tests following Ashes humbling
Michael Clarke has announced he will retire from Tests and end his international career following the current Ashes series.
Michael Clarke
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Clarke will bow out following the dead rubber against England at The Oval which starts on August 20, having struggled badly for form as his side lost their grip on the famous little urn - falling 3-1 down in the five-match series with a humbling loss at Trent Bridge.
In 114 Tests to date, Clarke boasts 8,628 runs at 49, but that stellar average has declined sharply in recent times and the 34-year-old has mustered just 117 runs at 17 in the current series.
Clarke confirmed his impending retirement in a post-play interview with former team-mate Shane Warne on Channel Nine.
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"I want to play the last Test at The Oval and give it one more crack. the time is right," he said.
"You never want to walk away. My performances over the past 12 months have not been acceptable to me.
"I made a decision last night after I got home after the day's play. It's time for the next generation."
Having been plagued by back problems throughout his career, Australia's leader announced his retirement from one-day cricket after lifting the Cricket World Cup on home soil in March, with a view to prolonging his Test career.
However, after overseeing comprehensive defeats inside three days at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, Clarke - who stood down from international T20 action back in 2011 - will now exit the Test arena without a series win on English soil.
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Vice-captain Steve Smith will be the overwhelming favourite to take the reins, having enjoyed success with the bat when deputising for the injured Clarke against India in 2014-15.
Credit: Allsports.com.gh
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