Michael Clarke raises his bat as he walks back after his final ODI innings.
© AFP
Australian skipper Michael Clarke bowed out of one-day internationals in fairytale style, leading his country to a record fifth World Cup title. As a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground cheered and celebrated, the 33-year-old batsman dedicated the historic triumph to the late Phillip Hughes, who was felled by a bouncer and died during a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney last year. (Australia wins World Cup )
"It has been a really tough few months and everyone would say we played this World Cup with 16 players. Tonight is dedicated to our little brother. Hughesy used to party as well as any of them. We're really proud, it's a wonderful achievement, to win in our own backyard in front of family and friends," Clarke said at the post-match presentation ceremony. (Clarke and Smith Leave Their Mark )
Clarke sported a black armband with the letters PH on it and he said he would have it on everytime he played for Australia. Clarke played his last ODI on Sunday but he is still captain of Australia's Test team.
Clarke, who scored 74 off 72 balls to lead Australia to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the title clash, said the entire team would party hard after lifting the trophy.
The stylish middle-order batsman, who wore jersey number 23 in all of his 245 ODIs, said he contemplated giving it back to Shane Warne, who also wore the same number in his illustrious career.
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