When did Michael Clarke retire? Why did Michael Clarke retire so early?

Australian former cricketer, Michael Clarke announced his retirement in 2015 to “concentrate on the longer forms of the game,” according to sources. However, he also once revealed that he should have retired right after his good former teammate, Philip Hughes died in 2014.

“I should’ve never played another game. My career should have stopped then. It was too hard for me. I didn’t allow myself to grieve at the time because I had a responsibility to his family, firstly, but then also as Australia’s cricket captain to my teammates and getting us back onto the field,” he said.

He also shared that he felt fear for the first time on the field when he played after his friend’s death.

“My greatest strength as a small boy growing up all through my career was that I was never scared. The faster they bowled, the easier it would be to score. I liked batting without a helmet on occasions; they’d bowl at your head and I’d love playing the hook or the pull shot. Even if it was just my subconscious, when I lost one of my best mates playing the game that we love, I think my subconscious worked out that you can actually die playing this sport. Even if it was the smallest bit of fear, you can’t play at the highest level like that,” he added.