Cricket world reacts to Clarke retirement

Cricket greats including Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have praised Michael Clarke after the Australia skipper announced his retirement from Test cricket.

READ: Michael Clarke retirement announcement

Shortly after England completed an emphatic innings and 78-run victory, Clarke revealed he would finish his international career after the fifth Test at The Oval later this month.

Warne praised Clarke's output as a batsman since his debut in 2004 and his leadership since taking the helm of the Australia team in 2011.

"I presented him with his first Test cap in Bangalore and to watch him develop into an amazing leader and watch the way he led the Australian team, the way he led the Australian team was fun to watch," Warne said on Channel 9.

"Clarke played the way we like cricket to be played. To me he has been outstanding."

Warne also backed Clarke's decision to walk away from international cricket at the end of the fifth Test at The Oval: "Like he said, he's fought hard but his performances weren't good enough and it's time. 

"I'm sure he's still in the best six batsman in Australia but for him, it's time."

Australian fast bowling legend McGrath said he had expected Clarke to go on his own terms.

Michael Clarke's amazing career remembered

"He is a strong character. He wanted to try and win the Ashes for the first time in England in his career but that is not going to happen," McGrath said on BBC radio.

"The team has been well beaten and he has had enough. He's a strong character and he wanted one last chance, but I don't think anyone predicted that Australia would play this badly."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said he had sensed the end of Clarke's career throughout the series.

"His dismissals have been poor," Vaughan told the BBC.

"His mind is somewhere else. Quality players don't have that many failures. His mind is not on that red ball. He has probably been thinking of this.

"When you retire you breathe and are relieved it is over. This is not the Michael Clarke I have known from previous series."

ABC Grandstand commentator Jim Maxwell agreed Clarke was right to decide his own destiny: "There are always recriminations after losing the Ashes so why not go out at the Oval instead of waiting for the sword to fall? Ricky Ponting said this morning that as much as eight of this touring party would not play for Australia again."

Former England spinner Vic Marks told BBC radio it was a matter of runs, not Clarke's captaincy.

"If you are the captain of a losing team and not scoring runs it becomes an issue. Clarke is not scoring runs," Marks said.

"The Oval looks like being his last Test match but that cannot hide the fact that he has been a magnificent Test player and captain."

Cricket Australia Chairman Wally Edwards also paid tribute to Australia’s 43rd Test captain.

“When Michael made his stunning Test debut in Bangalore back in 2004, Australian cricket knew it had found a very special talent,” Edwards said.

“Even at that early point in his career he was earmarked as a future leader and as his reputation grew it was clear that he was the right man to one day captain Australia.

“Throughout his captaincy, he has been a thoroughly professional player, a brave and daring leader who has given his all for our country.

“There have been many great achievements throughout his cricketing journey but two in particular really put a stamp on his captaincy. Bruised and battered, his courageous hundred against South Africa at Cape Town last year was instrumental in Australia defeating the Proteas and regaining the number one Test ranking. It was an inspirational performance and I was lucky enough to be there to see it.

 “Then of course his innings against India in Adelaide last summer stands as one of the most memorable and emotional episodes in the history of Australian sport. His leadership throughout that tragic time was a mark of his character.

“Australian cricket is proud of everything he has achieved, from leading Australia to a history-making ICC Cricket World Cup victory to winning a record four Allan Border Medals as the country’s leading international cricketer.” 

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