Australia captain Michael Clarke dropped a bombshell on the eve of the World Cup final by announcing he will retire from one-day cricket after Sunday's title-decider against New Zealand, reports Reuters.

‘Tomorrow will be my last ODI game for Australia,’ the 33-year-old told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, adding he had no thoughts of stepping down from the test captaincy.

‘I've never hid behind the fact that I find test cricket to be the pinnacle of the sport,’ he said.

‘I don't feel bad about saying that test cricket is the toughest part of our game. I love that challenge.

‘I still believe I've got a lot to offer the team as the captain of the test team.’

Clarke has played 244 one-day internationals, accumulating 7,907 runs at an average of 44.42.

He said he felt privileged to play for, and captain, Australia.

‘I always dreamt of playing cricket for Australia,’

‘I never dreamt of captaining Australia and to have this opportunity and privilege is better than I could have imagined.

‘I will sleep no worse tonight than I ever do. I'll be no less nervous when I walk out too bat.

‘If we can win that would be icing on the cake.’

Fact-file on Michael Clarke:

Full name: Michael John Clarke

Date of birth: 2 April 1981

Teams: Australia, Hampshire, New South Wales, Pune Warriors

Nickname: Pup

Test record

Matches: 108

Runs: 8,432

Highest score: 329 not out

Average: 50.79

100s: 28

50s: 27

Wickets: 31

Best bowling: 6-9

ODI record

Matches: 244

Runs: 7,907

Highest score: 130

Average: 44.42

100s: 8

50s: 57

Wickets: 57

Best bowling: 5-35

Twenty20 record

Matches: 34

Runs: 488

Highest score: 67

Average: 21.21

100s: 0

50s: 1

Wickets: 6

Best bowling: 1-2

Who's next? Three contenders

AFP Sports looks at the main contenders to be Australia's next one-day captain following Michael Clarke's decision to retire from ODIs after Sunday's World Cup final against New Zealand:

Steve Smith

The favourite following his role as stand-in skipper in Clarke's injury absence for the last three Tests against India this season.

Smith has been in outstanding batting form following his four centuries in the four-Test India series with four consecutive scores above 50, highlighted by his last start 105 off 93 balls in the  World Cup semi-final victory over India.

Smith, who will be 26 in June, has age on his side to be in place to lead Australia through to the next World Vup in England in 2019.

George Bailey

Led Australia in 29 of his 57 ODIs with a 55-percent winning ratio. Captained the team in their opening World Cup pool game against England while Clarke recovered from hamstring surgery.

Averages 42 with the bat, he is personable and comfortable with the media, but age is not on his side as he will be 36 by the time of the next World Cup.

David Warner

An outside choice given his on and off-field indiscretions with officialdom, but his forceful presence may be option.

Dynamic opening batsman who dictates the scoring with his wide array of aggressive shots and is also an athletic fielder.

His temperament is likely to count against him, given the calmer persona of Smith and Bailey under game pressure.