WC won, Clarke bows out with fairytale ending

Melbourne, March 29: Australian skipper Michael Clarke who bid farewell to One-Day Intertiols (ODIs) after his side became the world champions beating New Zealand on Sunday said it is the closest one can get to a fairly-tale ending.

Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to claim their fifth title.

Clarke guided his team to victory after playing a responsible knock of 74 runs.

“I don’t think I can leave on a better note. Like I say, there’s no such thing as fairy-tales, but it’s as close as it gets for me persolly,” Clarke said.

On being compared to former World Cup winning captains of Australia, Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, Clarke said: “Yeah, the amazing captains you’re talking about, I certainly don’t see myself in the same light as those captains. All I can say is it’s been an honour and a privilege to not only play for this country but to have the chance to captain Australia is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

“I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it in the one-day form. Hopefully it continues in Test cricket.”

Clarke also believes over the years the bigger players in the Australian team have always stood up in crunch situations, and that is what has made them the most successful team in the World Cups.

“I think the Australian way has always been about the big games. I think it’s probably something I learned at a young age, that the big players always stood up in major tourments. You know, they weren’t scared of losing,” he said.

The 33-year-old received a standing ovation when he was making his way into the pavilion after his knock. Speaking on the adulation from the crowd Clarke said he wanted it for the team.

“Yeah, it’s been really special to be honest. Like I said, even announcing my retirement from One-Day cricket yesterday, I really didn’t want to take anything away from the team. Yeah, so even tonight, it’s still — you know, that was very special for me persolly, but again, I really wanted to run off the field so I didn’t take that — I wanted that applause for the team,” he concluded. IANS