Clark in, Clarke still out

New South Wales paceman Stuart Clark’s recent strong showings with the ball in the Chappell/Hadlee one-day series have resulted in him being called up to the 12-man squad for Friday’s first Test against South Africa.

Namesake Michael Clarke remains on the Test outer however, with Andrew Symonds retaining his spot for the Perth clash.
Clarke made 200 for New South Wales against Queensland after his Test axing and an unbeaten 84 in the second one-day international against New Zealand but wasn’t named in the squad.

30-year-old Clark replaces legspinner Stuart MacGill for the Test, with selectors opting for a pace-heavy attack on the traditionally seamer friendly WACA pitch.

Nathan Bracken, Brett Lee and Glenn MacGrath make up the remaining pace options and Clark’s chance of a debut could rest on the form and fitness of his New South Wales teammates.

Lee is expected to be fully recovered from the nasal surgery which forced him to miss today’s one-dayer against New Zealand in Christchurch while MacGrath will be raring to go after being rested from the Chappell-Hadlee series.

Australia squad – Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (capt), Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath.