Quantcast

World Cup win dedicated to Hughes

The Australian squad had an unofficial 16th man that rode with them every step to World Cup glory

Michael Clarke ended his international cricket this summer as he had started it - by honouring Phillip Hughes.

Clarke bowed out from one-day internationals with a top score of 74 as Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets to win the World Cup final.

The record MCG crowd of 91,013 gave him a standing ovation on the way to the crease and again as he walked off after he chopped on a Matt Henry delivery with only nine runs needed for the win.

Clarke was emotional as he left the field, touching the black armband on his sleeve and raising his bat to the sky.

Image Id: ~/media/7C2AFB900CB54DDD86AE9E8A38816375

Lehmann leads the applause from a grateful nation // Getty Images

It is just over four months since Hughes tragically died after being struck by a cricket ball while batting for South Australia, rocking Clarke and Australian cricket to the core.

"We played this World Cup with 16 players and tonight is certainly dedicated to our little brother and teammate Phillip Hughes," Clarke said at the post-match presentation, adding that he would continue to wear a black armband with the initials PH on it for the remainder of his career.

The sentiment drew warm applause from the MCG crowd, before the talk quickly turned to celebration rather than commiseration. 

"Hughesy used to party as good as any of them, so I will make sure we drink two at a time - one for Hughesy and one for us."

Who is coming to Melbourne with us?

Posted by Michael Clarke on Thursday, 26 March 2015

Unlike the rest of his summer, Clarke's last one-day international innings was straightforward.

Clarke only gave one half-chance before his dismissal as he and Steve Smith ensured Australia would win their fifth World Cup title.

He had announced on the eve of Sunday's final against New Zealand that this would be his last international one-dayer.

While the announcement and its timing was big, it wasn't necessarily a surprise.

The captain's ongoing hamstring and back problems mean something had to give and he wants to continue his Test career for as long as possible.

But there was no time for sentiment when Clarke walked to the crease.

Australia were 2-63, chasing 184, and NZ were only another wicket or two from piling the pressure on the favourites.

Clarke and Smith set about killing off the contest with a classy 112-run partnership that took Australia past 150.

Image Id: ~/media/C314BD6269C7426F8382A0893FD65854

Smith and Clarke's parternship was vital // Getty Images

The skipper's only nervous moment came when he was on 14, when a square cut off Henry went just wide of gully for four.

Clarke's second 50 of this World Cup ensured his one-day career would end on a high.

It was a rare moment this Australian season when Clarke could enjoy the moment.

From Hughes's tragic death to the hamstring injury in Adelaide that needed surgery, the media speculation of fall-outs with selectors and officials and the race against time to be fit for the World Cup, it has been one challenge after another.

But right at the end, Clarke was back on top.

"Obviously I'm over the moon - what a tournament," he said.

Image Id: ~/media/4866E384F5924985B70970C487C43DD5

Clarke clears his one-day locker for the final time // Getty Images