STUART CLARK: Into his 31st year Stuart Clark made a dream debut against South Africa at Cape Town during the 2005-06 season. He bowled Australia to a seven-wicket victory with figures of five for 55 and four for 34 the third best match figures by an Australian debutant behind Bob Massie and Clarrie Grimmett. Taking 20 wickets at 15.75 apiece he was adjudged player of the series after playing a notable role in Australia’s emphatic 3-0 clean sweep. And to think that Clark had only made the trip as a replacement for Glenn McGrath who was tending to his sick wife. Indeed he had been long been talked about as a bowler in the McGrath mould and in the 2004-05 season took 40 wickets to play a leading role in New South Wales winning the Pura Cup. Winning a contract with Middlesex in 2005 Clark did reasonably well by making the most of his great height and his ability to move the ball menacingly. As Wisden noted: ``Stuart Clark did so well in his first match that the Australians twice called him up to their Ashes squad as cover for injured bowlers.’’ Clark made his ODI debut against the ICC World XI and since then has been a regular member of the one-day squad though he is hopeful of making a comeback to the Test team.

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