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[Jacky]

Long time reader, haven't posted much. But geez some of you blokes live in your own little shell, perhaps its the english weather . Clarke is one of the greatest, sure he's had a demise, he's got a back made of glass, but the way he lead from the front and has at times carried an underperforming test side. Some incredibly gutsy innings in his career. Seems to be a lot of short term memory loss with the Ashes victory (and well played), but I can't seem to recall so much disregard for Cook when he struggled considerably in Australia and coughed up the Ashes 5-0. The Broken arm incident is so over hyped, you're telling me saint Jimmy has never had a chirp? He was a fierce competitor and Australian cricket will be poorer without him.

[Seniorplayer]

Long time reader, haven't posted much. But geez some of you blokes live in your own little shell, perhaps its the english weather . Clarke is one of the greatest, sure he's had a demise, he's got a back made of glass, but the way he lead from the front and has at times carried an underperforming test side. Some incredibly gutsy innings in his career. Seems to be a lot of short term memory loss with the Ashes victory (and well played), but I can't seem to recall so much disregard for Cook when he struggled considerably in Australia and coughed up the Ashes 5-0. The Broken arm incident is so over hyped, you're telling me saint Jimmy has never had a chirp? He was a fierce competitor and Australian cricket will be poorer without him.

Chirping is one thing threats to injure is quite different well here in the Uk it is.

[dougydee]

Clarke has been a polarizing figure in Australian cricket since he came onto the scene, not only with supporters but teammates alike. I expect more to be said about this once the well deserved accolades and farewells have taken place.
I never really warmed to Clarke as a favourite player but definately wanted him in the team rather than out of it. Those who only think he'll only be remembered for his words to Anderson need to remember he's got 28 100's at a touch under 50. Not bad going for 115 tests.
Thanks for your service Clarkey.

[Mattsky]

As a whinging pom, I've actually warmed to the chap more as a person - especially after his moving eulogy to Phil Hughes.
Fantastic batsman, and a decent attack-minded skipper.
Forget the 'broken arm' nonsense. We've all said stuff out there on the pitch in the heat of the moment.
He's copped a lot of unnecessary nonsense for what he looks like, and how he doesn't fit the traditional mould of the hard-bitten Aussie skipper, and has handled it with dignity.
Whatever he decides to do next, I say good luck to ya, fella.

[skip1973]

Anderson is a prize tool, he only received back what he dished out, most aussies enjoyed Clarke standing up for his team mates.

On Clarke, an exceptional on field skipper, great fielder, great batsman. I don't think he got over the Phil Hughes tragedy, something like that really makes you reconsider what's important, that combined with his back issue and what I think was a lack of trust with selectors and it just become too much. Set to be a very interesting next 12 months.

[Slogger]

Chirping is one thing threats to injure is quite different well here in the Uk it is.

Was it not reported that Anderson said to George Bailey 'I am going to punch you in the face' just before Clarke's broken effing arm threat?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10472933/Michael-Clarke-reacted-to-James-Anderson-threatening-to-punch-George-Bailey-in-the-face-claims-Shane-Warne.html

[SOULMAN1012]

Clarke will certainly be missed in the short term for. Australia but looking at there talent pool it does seem a good time to step down, no doubt he has had a bit of pressure from selectors, media etc but with recent form and the way of things that's standard.
As for a great for me a class player but I'm sure if I was building my perfect team I'm not so sure he would fit in, he wasn't just a batsmen but also a captain and when you don't win an away Ash's series as an Aussie captain can you be labelled a great?? I mean that purely because he carried the captain arm band not just has batting.

[skip1973]

Was it not reported that Anderson said to George Bailey 'I am going to punch you in the face' just before Clarke's broken effing arm threat?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10472933/Michael-Clarke-reacted-to-James-Anderson-threatening-to-punch-George-Bailey-in-the-face-claims-Shane-Warne.html

Don't forget Andersons shoving of an Indian player last year, a class act in deed.

[ppccopener]

Was it not reported that Anderson said to George Bailey 'I am going to punch you in the face' just before Clarke's broken effing arm threat?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10472933/Michael-Clarke-reacted-to-James-Anderson-threatening-to-punch-George-Bailey-in-the-face-claims-Shane-Warne.html

It's also been reported this morning the Australian wags have had a punch up, lipstick and clumps of hair all over the place,is it true? no idea, and no idea if this link above is just another Shane Warne story, he spending 2 years slagging off Cook to help his best buddy Clarke could get some advantage.

Clarke has apologised for the broken arm remark, saying it's not something he is proud of or something an Aussie captain should have said, and has called those fans who like him more for saying it as 'silly'. These are direct quotes from Clarke not 3rd party hearsay.
Either Clarke believed what he said, in which case don't apologise afterwards-the ICC fine he could pay with loose change- or he knows it was wrong and apologise.You can't have both.

Personally I will remember Clarke as a very very good batsman, not a great, and an very good captain, but as has been said above unless you win the Ashes in this Country you cannot be a great.The way Clarke handled the Phil Hughes situation was a credit to all those involved, Clarke especially.

It's odd being an England fans sometimes, we only appreciate the opposition players sometimes after they have gone. Steve Waugh was one of my favourite players and same goes for Pointing and Mcgrath.

These guys are true greats of Australian cricket and the respect is massive for them. I doubt Clarke comes close in that respect-but a very good player indeed. A lot of England fans I know, and me, wish him well in whatever he does next.....

[Seniorplayer]

Clarke will certainly be missed in the short term for. Australia but looking at there talent pool it does seem a good time to step down, no doubt he has had a bit of pressure from selectors, media etc but with recent form and the way of things that's standard.
As for a great for me a class player but I'm sure if I was building my perfect team I'm not so sure he would fit in, he wasn't just a batsmen but also a captain and when you don't win an away Ash's series as an Aussie captain can you be labelled a great?? I mean that purely because he carried the captain arm band not just has batting.

Not only has Clarke failed to win an away Ashes series he is the only Australian to have a record number of  11  Ashes test match  defeats against his name.

[Dan W]

Bitter, unsporting brute with limited intelligence. Never had much pleasure watching him play tbh.

Good riddance - I think the rest of the cricket world will probably agree!

[ProCricketer1982]

Bitter, unsporting brute with limited intelligence. Never had much pleasure watching him play tbh.

Good riddance - I think the rest of the cricket world will probably agree!

You on about Clarke? Or Warner? Or Anderson? Or Swann?

[Dan W]

You on about Clarke? Or Warner? Or Anderson? Or Swann?

Clarke - though if the cap fits for Warner


Anderson and Swann have their own embarrassments, though even they wouldn't (have the balls if not the stupidity to...) front up full beans in a news conference acting like a school bully.

[lazza32]

Yes they would dan. England have their fair share of Muppets

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[King pair]

By all accounts joe root is a winnet. Biggest god complex in the world. Every team has them.

Clarke has been an incredible player and deserves to be remembered for that.