Watch Michael Clarke announcing his ODI retirement [VIDEO]

“I’ve just spoken to my teammates and spoken to (Cricket Australia CEO) James Sutherland and (National Selection Panel chairman) Rod Marsh and (Bupa Support Team head coach) Darren Lehmann and informed them tomorrow will be my last ODI for Australia.

“It’s certanly been an honour and a privilege to represent my country,” Clarke added. The World Cup final will be his 245th ODI for Australia since his debut in 2003. Part of the all-conquering 2007 World Cup team, Clarke took over the captaincy following the 2011 World Cup which eneded at the at the quarter-final stage with defeat to India.

“I think it’s the right time for me and the Australian cricket team. I was very fortunate four years ago to get the opportunity for me to captain this one-day team.  That was very good preparation for me leading up to this World Cup and I think the next Australian captain deserves the same opportunity.

I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect I’ll be fit and healthy and available for the next World Cup, so I believe it’s the right time.” George Bailey has stood in as captain during Clarke’s injury-enforced ODI absences over the past 12 months, however Steve Smith is widely expected to be confirmed as Clarke’s successor.

After standing in for Clarke during the summer Commonwealth Bank Test series against India, the 25-year-old Smith made his 50-over captaincy debut against England in Hobart during the Carlton Mid ODI series in January and is seen as a longer-term captaincy option for Test and ODI formats.