Stuart Clark

Stuart Clark

Personal information
Full name	Stuart Rupert Clark
Nickname	Sarfraz
Height	1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm fast-medium
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Australia
Test debut (cap 396)	16 March 2006 v South Africa
Last Test	16 January 2008 v India
ODI debut (cap 153)	7 October 2005 v ICC World XI
Last ODI	5 October 2007 v India
ODI shirt no.	8
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1998 -	New South Wales Blues
2004 - 2005	Middlesex
2007	Hampshire
Career statistics
Competition Tests ODI FC LA Matches 18 33 93 128 Runs scored 177 67 1,189 194 Batting average 11.80 16.75 13.51 8.81 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/1 0/0 Top score 39 16* 62 26* Balls bowled 4,054 1,588 19,346 6,548 Wickets 81 45 344 174 Bowling average 21.46 29.88 27.08 27.21 5 wickets in innings 2 0 13 1 10 wickets in match 0 n/a 1 n/a Best bowling 5/32 4/54 8/58 6/27 Catches/stumpings 3/– 8/– 27/– 27/–
Source: cricinfo, 17 June 2008

Stuart Rupert Clark (born 28 September 1975, Sutherland, New South Wales) is an Australian International cricketer who plays domestic cricket for the New South Wales Blues. He plays as a right-arm fast-medium bowler. Similarities between his bowling style and that of Sarfraz Nawaz have led to him being nicknamed "Sarfraz".

First-class career

New South Wales

Clark made his first-class debut with the New South Wales Blues on February 4 1998 against Tasmania at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He had a poor debut season, taking only 4 wickets at an average of 76.75. The 1998–99 season also saw Clark struggle as he took only 2 wickets at an average of 220.50. After his first 7 first-class matches, Clark averaged 124.66 with the ball. His poor performances led to him being dropped during the 1998–99 season and he did not play a first-class match for over 2 years.

Clark returned for New South Wales in the 2000–01 season and enjoyed a solid comeback season, taking 8 wickets at 25.75 in the 3 matches he played. After these performances, he retained his place in the side for 2001–02, a season which would prove to be his breakthrough one. Clark played 9 matches in the season, taking 45 wickets at an average of 23.26. He claimed four 5 wicket hauls and finished second behind Australian paceman Michael Kasprowicz in the leading wicket-takers list. With a promotion to a national contract, Clark had another strong season for New South Wales in 2002–03 securing 30 wickets at an average of 30.33. While the 2003–04 season was less successful for Clark, taking 23 wickets at 38.26, 2004–05 saw a return to form as he took 40 wickets at 24.77. Clark only played 4 matches for New South Wales in the 2005-06 season yet still managed to take 17 wickets at 22.05.

Clark's full-time call up to the national team in 2006–07 also saw him play fewer matches in the 2006–07 domestic season, yet the three matches he played saw him take 21 wickets at 14.47. During this season, Clark recorded his highest ever first-class score with 62 off 43 balls against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Clark bought up his half-century off 34 balls and his innings included 4 sixes and 3 fours. In the same match, Clark claimed his best ever first-class figures at the time, taking 6/39 in South Australia's second innings. In the next match he played for New South Wales, Clark exceeded these figures by taking 8/58 against Western Australia at the WACA Ground. Clark ended up taking 10 wickets for the match, and his first innings figures included a hat-trick, as he took the wickets of Marcus North, Adam Voges and Steve Magoffin in successive deliveries to reduce Western Australia to 4/2.

County Cricket

He had a run of injuries in 2003-04, but recovered to play first-class cricket for Middlesex in England in 2005.

He played for Hampshire in the 2007 English cricket season.

International career (2005—)

Surprise inclusion in squad

In the 2005 Ashes series, in a shock decision, he was called into the Australian cricket team squad for the fourth and fifth Tests covering for Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee after they both suffered injuries; however, both McGrath and Lee overcame the injuries early and went on to play. Australian Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said: We consider Stuart to be a similar style bowler to Glenn McGrath ... he is already in England and showing some good form, so we have selected him to provide some cover for the current injuries.

ODI debut

In October 2005 Clark was again called into the Australian One Day International ICC Super Series squad against the ICC World XI, covering Shaun Tait but did not play in the first match on October 5. He made his debut later in that series, and also played against New Zealand in the 05/06 Chappell-Hadlee series. He had vindicated the decision of the selectors somewhat with his solid performances in the ODI arena, however many fans expressed disbelief at the fact that Clark was selected ahead of players such as Paul Rofe, Mick Lewis, Jason Gillespie and Andrew Bichel who had been performing to a higher standard at state level. On February 23 2007, Clark was named in the Australian World Cup Squad as a replacement for the injured Brett Lee

Early Test career

On 16 March 2006, Clark was included in the Australian Test squad, replacing Glenn McGrath (who was attending his sick wife Jane) for the tour of South Africa. He made his debut in the first Test at Cape Town. Clark had an immediate impact on the game, dismissing Graeme Smith early in South Africa's innings, on his way to five wickets. He captured another four in the second innings, to finish with match figures of 9/89 and the player of the match award.

In the second Test at Durban, he took four wickets, and in the third Test at Johannesburg, he returned figures of 3/81 and 4/34. Altogether, he was the leading wicket-taker of the series with 20 wickets (at 15.85 average) and was voted player of the series.

As expected Clark warranted selection for the Australian tour of Bangladesh which followed immediately after the South African whitewash However it was a forgettable tour for Clark who managed to pick up just one wicket in the first innings, and was overshadowed by recalled veteran Jason Gillespie. Clark was "released from duty" for the second test as the Australian selectors decided to replace him with budding spinner Dan Cullen in Chittagong. However at the time, media reports stated that Clark was given compassionate leave to attend the birth of his son- Clark later suggested that the "rest" wasn't necessary in any case. However by the end of the Bangladesh series, Clark maintained his spot above Jason Gillespie in the pecking order of Australian fast bowlers.

Ashes series 2006-07

Clark made his Ashes debut at the 'Gabba on November 23, 2006 in the 2006/07 series. He proved successful and troubled batsmen. The Ashes series also proved to be his first alongside mentor Glenn McGrath who made a test match return following the leave he was on to attend to his sick wife Jane. In the first innings of the Gabba test he captured three wickets. He continued his impressive effort in the second innings taking a further 4 wickets, and bowling Australia to victory-where he took the first wicket of opener Andrew Strauss, and cleaned up the tail.

In the second test at Adelaide, where the pitch was described as "flatter than a boiled bottle of pepsi), Clark was heads & shoulders above his Australian colleagues, taking 3-75 in a total of 6-551, which earned lavish praise from his English opponents, as well as commentators all over the world. Clark also started the rot in England's second innings taking the first wicket of Cook, which ultimately led to a collapse, and with the help of Hussey and Warne- Australia wrapped it up.

In the third test at the WACA in Perth, Australia collapsed in the first innings of the match- due to the brilliance of newcomer Monty Panesar. With their backs to the wall, Stuart Clark bowled out of his skin to once again be Australia's chief destroyer taking 3-49, including the prize wicket of Andrew Strauss who was just looking to run into form. He also picked up 2 wickets in the second innings which lead Australia to victory, and also the regaining of the Ashes urn.

After Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath had announced their retirements in the lead up to the 4th Ashes test in Melbourne on Boxing day, all eyes were on them, however Clark did his best to ensure the limelight was on him as well. After taking 2 wickets in the first innings- including a jaffer to get Andrew Flintoff caught in the slips, he catapulted England's demise in the second innings as well, after bowling two of the "balls of the series" bowling Alistair Cook & Kevin Peterson, as well as removing captain and danger man Andrew Flintoff, to finish with astounding figures of 3-30.

However it was in the final test at Sydney where Clark said he felt the proudest, as he got the opportunity to play at his home ground in front of his family and friends. Clark didn't disappoint his nearest and dearest; giving one magnificent all round performance. Clark was once again taking amongst the wickets, taking 3 in the first innings including his "bunny" Andrew Flintoff. However it was his batting that most scintillated his home crowd- having belted a career best 35 of only 47 balls coming agonisingly close to getting Shane Warne to his first test century in his last game. His batting efforts ensured a lead too high for England to contemplate a victory. This was confirmed when he helped bowl Australia to victory taking 2 wickets in the second innings.

This ensured him as being named the "Bowler of the Series", taking 26 wickets at 17, which was by far the best average, with Shane Warne being 2nd at 30. He also had the second best economy rate of the series after his mentor Glenn McGrath- but had the best strike rate, taking a wicket every 45 balls.

Personal life

Stuart is the son of Anglo-Indian parents, his father Bruce Clark who is from Madras (now Chennai) was a student at Christ Church Anglo-Indian High School, Madras, and his mother Mary Clark (nee Boosey) is from the Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, India, her family the Booseys are a famous sporting family.The Clarks and the Booseys

Clark has a Bachelor of Commerce, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Commerce at the University of Sydney with a specialisation in finance. He worked as a real estate agent for 5 years before he pursued cricket, and has future plans to study law. He is married to Michelle with whom he has a son named Lachlan. [1]

External links

• Stuart Clark at ESPNcricinfo

The Clarks and the Booseys