Here is how Twitter bid adieu to Australia's winning skipper Michael Clarke

As Steven Smith pulled the winning boundary to crush a New Zealand fairytale and clinch a fifth World Cup for Australia on Sunday, Michael Clarke's side celebrated a glorious end to a journey marked by a period of self-doubt and grief for a fallen team mate.

Captain Clarke retires from one-day cricket with his legacy intact but his team will charge on to the 2019 tournament with renewed belief in their ability to re-generate, adapt and rebound from the stiffest of challenges. Two years after their annus horribilis of 2013 and less than three months after the death of batsman Phillip Hughes, Australia resumed their dominion of world cricket with a ruthless seven-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The twitterati paid a befitting tribute to Michael Clarke as he retired with a fifth World Cup for Australia from the fifty over format.

Congrats captain #GoGold pic.twitter.com/6eFJPl322J

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 29, 2015

Australia captain Michael Clarke has left the ODI arena for the final time. #legend pic.twitter.com/XE3ftByQBk

— Cricket Australia (@CAComms) March 29, 2015

This is how Champions retire !!' #clarke pic.twitter.com/c8M07aZIQc

— Aadil (@aadilliaquat) March 29, 2015

#Clarke - That must be a dream last game for any player and captain. Scoring big and lifting the #CWC15 in style. Classy player. Bubye ..

— Kaushik LM (@Lmkmoviemaniac) March 29, 2015

Michael Clarke walks off in an ODI for the final time. Led his country to victory a few months after Phillip Highes' passing. Role model.

— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) March 29, 2015

Brings a tear to the eye #clarke #CWC15Final

— Bridget Tilley (@bridgettilley) March 29, 2015

You will be missed #Clarke Well played #Australia pic.twitter.com/Q1bYJ3eW6e

— Arsalan Zaheer (@rcafridi10) March 29, 2015

93,000 people cheering your name as you lead your country to World Cup glory. There can be no more fitting finale for Michael Clarke.

— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) March 29, 2015

Main 60 ke strike rate se kheloon to slow, aur Clarke khele to matured ? Yeh kya baat hui ?? pic.twitter.com/ZLVfyc8ECR

— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 29, 2015

Michael Clarke, your tribute to Phil Hughes makes you a real champion, and a spl person. Brought a tear to the eye. #CWC15

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 29, 2015

THERE IS ONLY ONE FINISHER, CLARKE. THE GREATEST EVER. MSD.

— TheBlackMagicWoman (@aanchalator) March 29, 2015