Aussies call up Clark as cover for McGrath

LONDON—Stuart Clark has been called up as cover for fast bowler Glenn McGrath ahead of this week’s fifth and final Ashes Test against England, Cricket Australia announced.
McGrath is doubtful with the right elbow injury that forced him to miss England’s three wicket fourth Test win at Trent Bridge where the home side went 2-1 up in the five-match encounter as they chased a first Ashes series win in 18 years.
The uncapped 29-year-old New South Wales seamer currently at English county Middlesex, has already been with the Australian squad this tour, having been selected as a standby player for McGrath ahead of the drawn third Test at Old Trafford.
McGrath, who took nine for 82 in Australia’s 239-run first Test win at Lord’s, missed England’s two-run second Test win with an ankle injury after he trod on a cricket ball during the warm-up.
Clark, who on Monday was participating in a National League game for Middlesex against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl, will take part in Australian squad practice Tuesday at The Oval where the fifth Test starts on Thursday.
In his column for Britain’s Mail on Sunday tabloid, McGrath, 35, one of only four bowlers to have taken 500 Test wickets, insisted he would play at The Oval where Australia must win to retain the Ashes that have been theirs since 1989.
But in a statement Monday, Australia’s chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, said: “With a decision yet to be made about Glenn McGrath’s availability for the Test, we want to make sure that we have some cover and added flexibility heading into this match.
“We have identified Stuart as a similar style bowler to Glenn, and given he has been playing some solid cricket in England, it was felt that he was the most suitable inclusion”.
Cricket Australia said McGrath was continuing to receive treatment from team physiotherapist Errol Alcott for his elbow injury. It added he was expected to take part in the squad’s practice session at The Oval on Tuesday.
But it stressed that a date for a final decision on McGrath’s availability for the fifth Test had yet to be made.—Agencies