|
| | GEO Sports | | Elbow injury rules Clark out of Perth Test | Updated at: 0702 PST, Monday, December 15, 2008
 MELBOURNE: Aussie fast bowler Stuart Clark has been ruled out of Wednesday's first Test against South Africa in Perth due to the recurrence of an injury to his right elbow.
"I don't think it's a secret that I've had a bad elbow for a while. It's flared up. It's not acceptable to play. I had bowl on Friday and it was pretty sore but I had to come here and try it," Clark has been quoted as saying in the Australian after his pull out.
Clark will fly home to Sydney and have the problem assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon and if an operation is required his season might be finished.
Peter Siddle of Victoria, who toured India during their 0-2 defeat, was recalled to the 12-man squad to replace Clark and he is likely to fight it out with all-rounder Shane Watson for a spot in the starting line-up with off-spinner Jason Krejza almost certain to play.
Siddle's Test debut came at Mohali in October when the same elbow problem kept Clark out of the team.
Clark's loss could turn out to be a huge gain for Siddle, if he gets to play, as the fast and bouncy WACA pitch is expected to help his kind of bowling. Earlier, Clark had returned to form with a six-wicket haul against the Kiwis after struggling on Indian wickets. |  |
|
|
|
|
