Stuart Clark

Stuart Clark is an Australian former cricketer, born in Sutherland, New South Wales on 28 September 1975 to Indian parents. He was a right-arm fast-medium bowler and a right-handed lower order batsman. He was a part of the 2007 Cricket World Cup winning Australian squad

Background

Stuart joined the New South Wales (NSW) domestic side in 1998. He made his domestic debut on 4 February 1998 against Tasmania. He had an ordinary first season where he picked up only 4 wickets averaging 76.75 with the ball. The next season was also horrific. Clark managed only 2 wickets giving away 441 runs. He was dropped from the side after a disastrous start to his career.

He made his domestic comeback in the 2000-01 season and managed to pick 8 wickets in 3 matches. The following season proved to be instrumental for him. In only 9 matches, the tall fast bowler picked up 45 wickets at an average of only 23.26 runs per wicket. He had cemented his place in the NSW side by then. Clark picked 110 wickets in the next 4 seasons.

Debut

Clark made his international debut in an ODI against the ICC World XI on 7 October 2005 at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. Australia set a target of 329, with Gilchrist scoring 103, for the World XI to chase in their 50 overs. ICC World XI got all out for 273. Stuart picked the wickets of the dangerous Kevin Pietersen and Shaun Pollock. He returned with figures of 2/55 in his 9 overs. Australia won by 55 runs.

He made his T20I debut against South Africa on 9 January 2006 at The Gabba, Brisbane. Australia’s innings was built on some clean hitting from Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds scoring 96 and 54* respectively. South Africa got all out for 114 chasing 210. Stuart Clark returned with figures of 1/35 in his 4 overs. Mark Boucher was his only victim. Australia won by 95 runs.

Clark finally earned the Baggy Green as he made his Test debut on 16 March 2006 against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. South Africa scored 205 in their first innings. Clark took a 5-wicket haul on debut as his figures read 17-3-55-5. Australia managed a 103-run lead in the first innings. Clark was again the pick of the bowlers as he took 4/34 and bowled out South Africa for 197. Australia chased down the target with 7 wickets in hand. Clark’s figures of 9/89 in the match were third-best for an Australian on debut at that time. He was awarded the Man of the Match award. He became the fourth Australian to win the award on Test debut.

Rise to glory

Stuart became the highest wicket taker in his debut series. He picked 20 wickets at a very low average of 15.85. He was awarded the Man of the Series award in his debut series. This was one of the very few bright points of Clark’s career.

Low points

Clark was dropped from the Australian team against Bangladesh in the later half of 2006. It was stated that he was released from duty for his son’s birth. Clark later came out and said that no such leave was needed for him.

Club career

He was part of the New South Wales Blues side from 1998 to 2011 in the Australian domestic competition. In 2004, he had joined the county side Middlesex. He played for them in the 2004-05 season. After that, he played for Hampshire in 2007.

Stats

Stuart Clark has 94 Test wickets in 24 matches, 51 ODI wickets in 38 matches and 13 T20I wickets in 9 matches.

Retirement

He announced his retirement from first class cricket on 27 February 2012. He was made the CEO of the Sydney Sixers after his retirement from international cricket where he continued playing part-time. He resigned from the post in 2012.