The Australian Cricket landscape is in for a grim makeover as Michael Clarke recently announced his retirement after playing his last Ashes Test. "I certainly don't want to jump ship and leave the boys now. I'll play the last Test, give it one last crack, but the time is right now," Clarke said, according to a news report from www.bbc.com, which confirmed what many Aussie Cricket fans have been dreading to happen.
The Australian Cricket team captain's decision comes after suffering his fourth loss in the Ashes in England. This is Clarke's fourth year as captain of the squad after taking over for Rick Ponting in March 2011. It is not an easy decision for him but it seems Clarke has finally made up his mind to call the final shots.
The soon to be retiree was also gracious in defeat, praising Alaistair Cook and the rest of the English team for showing excellent execution of a good swing plus he added that his boys could not be faulted for anything but it was just their misfortune of having to face a much better Cricket team.
Even if the whole of Australia's Cricketing world feels sad about Michael Clarke's impending departure from the game, there is certainly no reason to feel sorry for one of the highest paid athletes in Australian history. According to the therichest.com, "Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has an estimated net worth of $16 million." A big chunk of his earnings came in 2012 when he was given a $6M raise by his club. making him the fifth highest Australian athlete at the time. It certainly pays to be very good at what you do and Michael Clarke certainly earned his keep.Much more awaits Michael Clarke in the coming years but one thing is certain, he has left his mark in the cricketing world.
