Retiring Clarke on par with Border: Warne

AFP, SYDNEY: Shane Warne likened retiring Australian captain Michael Clarke to all-time great and former skipper Allan Border Monday as the nation’s media mourned the loss of the Ashes series.
Clarke ended his international career with 8,643 runs in 115 Tests, including 28 hundreds, going out on a high with a comprehensive innings and 46-run win in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Sunday.
But it was a bittersweet moment with England taking the five-match series 3-2.
Clarke, along with retiring opener Chris Rogers, were given an honour guard as they left the field and Warne paid tribute to his close friend with a touching video tribute.
“Allan Border was the most meticulous in preparation and I think Michael Clarke rivals Allan Border for his preparation in leading up to a game,” the spinning-bowling great said.
He highlighted Clarke’s “unbelievable” leadership after the death of fellow batsman and friend Phillip Hughes, who was struck on the head by a bouncer in a domestic Sheffield Shield match last year and never recovered.

Retiring Clarke on par with Border: Warne

AFP, SYDNEY: Shane Warne likened retiring Australian captain Michael Clarke to all-time great and former skipper Allan Border Monday as the nations media mourned the loss of the Ashes series. Clarke ended his international career with 8,643 runs in 115 Tests, including 28 hundreds, going out on a high with a comprehensive innings and 46-run win in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Sunday. But it was a bittersweet moment with England taking the five-match series 3-2. Clarke, along with retiring opener Chris Rogers, were given an honour guard as they left the field and Warne paid tribute to his close friend with a touching video tribute. Allan Border was the most meticulous in preparation and I think Michael Clarke rivals Allan Border for his preparation in leading up to a game, the spinning-bowling great said. He highlighted Clarkes unbelievable leadership after the death of fellow batsman and friend Phillip Hughes, who was struck on the head by a bouncer in a domestic Sheffield Shield match last year and never recovered.