Clarke confirms retirement after Ashes defeat

England won the third and fourth Tests in less than five days, the latter without the services of injured bowler James Anderson, and Cook said he was pleased to see his players step up to the mark in the absence of England’s record wicket-taker.

Cook’s opposite number Michael Clarke confirmed, as the cheers of a sell-out crowd celebrated England’s achievement, that he will retire once the series is concluded at The Oval. The fifth and final match is scheduled from August 20 at the Oval and would be Clarke’s 115th five-day game.

The New South Wales born right-hander endured a torrid Ashes series with the bat, scoring just 117 runs in eight innings at an average of 16.71 as his career average dipped below 50 for the first time since April 2012.

“We’ve been beaten by a better team… we were outplayed in this series”, said Clarke, who only some 18 months ago led Australia to a 5-0 whitewashing of England “Down Under”.

“The English conditions have played a massive factor but you can’t take anything away from the England players with the way they have performed”.

“It’s not easy playing away but it’s something we have to get better at”.

“Thanks buddy. I wish you and the Indian team all the best for the future”, tweeted the affable Australian.

Clarke’s announcement came after England won the fourth Test at Trent Bridge by an innings and 78 runs on Saturday to regain the Ashes.

One of the few major targets left for Clarke would have been to win a Test series in England, having previously been on the losing side during Australia’s tours in 2005, 2009 and 2013.

“I think that he has been a great role model, particularly last year with the tragedy over Phillip Hughes”.

Clarke was adamant the decision was his alone and not forced on him by a selection panel headed by Australia great Rodney Marsh.

“I was lucky enough to have a quick drink with Cooky at Birmingham and I was really impressed with how relaxed he was”, Collingwood said.

Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards paid rich tributes to the 43rd Test captain of Australia.

The chairman of Cricket Australia, Wally Edwards, said Clarke had been earmarked as “a very special talent” since he made a century on debut in Bangalore in 2004.

“I think Smithy is ready,” Clarke said of the 26-year-old.

The story Ashes 2015: Test changes loom as Darren Lehmann concedes Australia back to “square one” first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.

“His leadership throughout that tragic time was a mark of his character”, said Edwards.

Heir apparent Steven Smith is now set to become Australia’s captain for their next Test series in Bangladesh in October.

The 34-year-old, whose prolific career has been marred by nagging back and ankle problems that required him to go under the knife earlier this year, has already quit ODI and Twenty20 cricket.