It’s time to focus on Ashes: Michael Clarke

“I think I’m allowed to talk about (the Ashes) now,” Clarke told reporters at Sabina Park.

“Credit to the boys, I made it very clear I didn’t want it spoken about at all throughout this series and I’m extremely thankful and proud that none of the guys have spoken about it.

“I’d be lying to say it hasn’t been in the back of everyone’s mind, but the fact we’ve been really disciplined on playing really good cricket in these conditions against this West Indies team is a really good achievement from the boys,” he further added.

“But we’re all excited about what lies ahead. I’ve spoken a lot about consistency away from home, I just hope this is the start of it.” “Confidence is a vital part of any team and any squad. You have to earn that though,” Clarke added.

Clarke will be remembered as a fleet-footed batsman that was a fantastic player of spinners, was great to watch, was easy on the eye, was a flamboyant player.

Clarke's numbers as a Test captain reflect on the troubles Australia have had overseas in recent years. Clarke ended up losing 12 Test series away from home as captain, more than any other Australian skipper in history.

He lost almost half the Tests he captained away from home (12 out of 26 - 46 percent). Comparatively, Ponting (11 from 38 – 29 percent) and Border (11 from 38 – 29 percent) both lost less than 30 percent of the time away from home.

Only Kim Hughes has a worse loss percentage than Clarke, losing 11 from 20 (55 percent).

His home record as captain, however, is excellent, winning 14 of 19 Tests and only losing three times.