Australia's crushing Ashes defeat at Trent Bridge has heralded the end of captain Michael Clarke's international career.
After England reclaimed the urn with a crushing innings and 78-run win in the 4th Test at Nottingham, Clarke announced the fifth Test at The Oval will be his last.
The 34-year-old has been under pressure throughout the five-Test series due to a form slump, but he denies being pushed into retirement.
Michael Clarke at the end of the disastrous 1st day of the 4th Ashes Test, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Selectors did not speak to me at all about being dropped or standing down or retiring," Clarke said.
"I made the decision late last night with my beautiful wife and spoke to my family.
"This morning I had a conversation with Darren Lehmann and Rod Marsh and told them what I was going to do.
"They were both extremely respectful and thankful for what I've given Australian cricket.
"I don't feel sad. I'm more disappointed with the way we played through this series and the way I played as captain."
"I don't want to jump ship now, so I'll have one last Test. You never want to walk away from the game but my performances have not been acceptable," Clarke said.
It wasn't until Clarke mulled a dismissal of 13, which dragged his series average down to 16.71, that he decided it was time to hang up the boots.
Only one other Australian captain has produced a lower average in an Ashes since 1965 - Ricky Ponting's 16.14 in 2010-11.
The current series will be the fifth time Clarke has played in an unsuccessful Ashes campaign.
In his past 30 Test innings he has reached 25 just six times and scored two hundreds.
The Nottingham nightmare is Clarke's 13th away defeat as Test captain.
No Australia skipper has lost as many away Tests.
Yet there were plenty of highlights in Clarke's career, including 28 Test tons, one less than Sir Donald Bradman.
Since his debut in 2004, Clarke has played 114 Tests at an average of 49.30.
His highest score was 329 not out against India in 2012 at the SCG.
Clarke broke down during the post-match ceremony, in which he confirmed his retirement.
His heir apparent, Steve Smith, was already going to captain the one-day team in the upcoming series against England.
Steve Smith celebrates his century during the second Ashes Test at Lord's, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Smith will lead the side in their next Test assignment, a tour of Bangladesh in October.
Australia then host New Zealand and the West Indies in three-Test series.
The 26-year-old Smith became Australia's 45th Test captain last summer, leading Australia in three Tests against India when Clarke underwent hamstring surgery.
Clarke returned during the World Cup, but retired from limited-overs cricket after top-scoring in the final.
"Smithy had the opportunity through the Australian summer and showed that he's going to make a good captain," said Clarke.
"I've certainly got faith in him. I believe in him and I believe in the Australian team."
The England captain Alastair Cook called on the crowd to pay tribute to his vanquished counterpart during the post-match ceremony.
Captains Michael Clarke of Australia and Alastair Cook of England after the 4th Ashes Test, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"You should be remembered as a great captain and a fantastic cricketer," Cook said.
Clarke will captain the Melbourne Stars in the upcoming Big Bash League season and is likely to join close friend Shane Warne in the Channel Nine commentary box.
