Clarke retires from ODIs as champion

Australia outplayed New Zealand by 7 wickets as Clarke became the fourth Australian captain after Allan Border (1987), Steve Waugh (1999) and Ricky Ponting (2003, 2007) to win the coveted 50-over prize in world cricket. Clarke, who is just three days short of his 34th birthday, goes out after playing 245 ODIs scoring 7981 runs with eight hundreds and 58 half-centuries.

He will, however, continue to play for Australia in Test format. The stylish right-hander, who has been under immense pressure to hold his place in the ODI side, announced his retirement after the semi-final win against India in Sydney. ‘Pup’, as he is fondly called, said the time was just right to bid adieu to ODIs.

“Time is right to walk away from one-day cricket, I'll still be playing Test cricket and I am over the moon,” Clarke said at the presentation. Talking about his number 23 jersey that was presented to him by spin legend Shane Warne, Clarke said, “(I) might give it back to Warney... Haven't given it much thought.”