Clark hoping for Ashes call by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	SR Clark
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 26th July 2009

 

Australian seamer Stuart Clark is hoping to get his chance to make an impact on the 2009 Ashes.

 

He has been overlooked at Cardiff and again at Lord's, where Australia went 1-0 down with three to play.

 

But with Mitchell Johnson terribly out of form, 33-year-old Clark's time may be about to come.

 

The right-armer did his prospects no harm by taking two quick top-order wickets on a mixed second day of three for Australia at Northampton, which they finished 139 without loss in their second innings and 221 runs ahead overall.

 

"I was probably a little bit rusty to start, but overall the ball came out nicely for me," said Clark, who actually took a wicket in his first over.

 

The one thing which looked notable was that he was given the new ball rather than Johnson, whose troubles continued with seven wicketless overs at the cost of 42 runs after being brought into the attack.

 

"I probably bowled better at Worcester (than here), having played two games in a row," Clarke said.

 

The bowler said his maturity, after a 22-Test career so far, will bring priceless experience if he is recalled for the Edgbaston next week.

 

"I'm older and I get the ball to bounce a little bit more [than his team-mates], being a little bit taller. That's probably my biggest weapon on these wickets. It can make you a handful."

 

Clark looked sharp enough at the County Ground, and confirmed he still has his eye on playing a part in retaining those Ashes.

 

"I was disappointed and I suppose surprised," he said, at being left out of the team in Cardiff.

 

"I was not given any guarantee I was going to play, and the selectors went with a combination they thought would get them 20 wickets.

 

"If given the opportunity to play again, it is an Australian cricketer's dream to play Test cricket against England in England.

 

"I've sat on the sidelines and watched, and it's been pretty hard to do that for two Test matches. I may have to watch for the next three - but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure I control my destiny."