Melbourne, August 13: As national selectors face tough task whether to include Stuart Clark in the crucial fifth Ashes Test, former Test paceman Michael Kasprowicz has insisted that the comeback seamer has a big role to play in Australia’s future.
Kasprowicz believes that Stuart, who holds an impressive record against the Australians, would have the big opportunity in the future. ”It is such a delicate balancing act,” Kasprowicz said. ”He has such a fabulous record against England and he is absolutely a big part of Australia’s future.
But I guess the selection next week will be a team balance sort of thing. The Oval is the sort of wicket that does turn, and you have to have the variety that a spinner provides.
”Selectors have the luxury of having Clark to call on, but the big opportunity for him could be in the future. Australia plays so much one-day cricket and there is certain to be injuries and he will be the first bloke they call up for Test cricket,” the 37-year-old former right-armer was quoted as saying by ‘The Australian’.
Clark, who was out of the Australian Test side for nine months, made a successful return to the team claiming three wickets on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley, which the visitors won by an innings and 80 runs to level the ongoing series 1-1.
The seamer was fiery in his comeback match mostly on the Cook-Collingwood duo, whom he has dismissed five times each in the six Tests he has played against England.
Besides, skipper Andrew Strauss had also fell to the canny quick four times in six Tests. However, the 33-year-old Clarke faces a desperate fight to cling on to his place in the Australian side for next week’s Oval Test, with widespread calls to play spinner Nathan Hauritz on a pitch tipped to take turn. A call to Hauritz means Clark would receive the unluckiest selection chop, as fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have already been assured of their baggy green caps.
Back-to-form pacer Johnson also believes that having Clark in the side, with his nagging line and length, would benefit the bowlers at the other end. ”Having Stuart Clark there does complement our bowling,” Johnson said. ”Myself and Peter Siddle bowl very similar in some ways — we try and hit the deck as hard as we can. ”It’s good to have someone who can just put it on the spot for you. ”Stuart is the type of bowler who bowls a good line and length,” he hailed Clark.
—–Agencies