usalion
20 Mar 2006, 10:44
Lawson tips Clark for Ashes role
By Sam Lyon
Clark has been tipped to cement his place in the Australia side
Former Australia paceman Geoff Lawson has tipped Stuart Clark to have a big impact in next winter's Ashes series against England.
The New South Wales seamer bagged nine wickets in a fine debut against South Africa and Lawson insists he "could cause England all sorts of problems".
Lawson also cast doubt on key bowler Glenn McGrath's future in the game.
He told BBC Sport: "Glenn's career is up in the air at the moment and many of us believe he may not play again."
The 36-year-old has not played since the Ashes as he is caring for his wife, who is ill with cancer.
Justin Langer column
Despite that, and the injury problems he suffered during the series defeat to England last summer, he has said he is not making any plans for next winter at this stage.
But Lawson said: "With his age and the injury problems he's had, not to mention his situation at home, nobody can really say for sure he'll be back."
Clark's emergence, however, is good news for Australia as he has similar line and length qualities.
"Stuart really is comparable to Glenn in many ways.
"His greatest asset is his brain, he really knows his game and the game of cricket. He's accurate and consistent and, as a tall man, he generates good bounce even though he's not explosively fast," said Lawson, who has coached him at state level for New South Wales.
"He's got to be in pole position to cement his place in the side now after what was a very impressive debut."
England will have to do a certain amount of work on him
Geoff Lawson on Stuart Clark
The 30-year-old, who has 23 wickets in 15 one-day internationals at an average of 29.91, was given his chance at the top level after "consistently proving himself, season after season, with his district" says Lawson.
He has 211 wickets in 62 first class matches and his experience of playing on Australian pitches should serve him well in the future.
Lawson said: "He's grown up and learnt his cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which doesn't exactly consistently offer assistance to the bowlers.
"Because of that he's learned to be controlled and that has served him well.
"England will have to do a certain amount of work on him if he lines up against them next winter."
By Sam Lyon
Clark has been tipped to cement his place in the Australia side
Former Australia paceman Geoff Lawson has tipped Stuart Clark to have a big impact in next winter's Ashes series against England.
The New South Wales seamer bagged nine wickets in a fine debut against South Africa and Lawson insists he "could cause England all sorts of problems".
Lawson also cast doubt on key bowler Glenn McGrath's future in the game.
He told BBC Sport: "Glenn's career is up in the air at the moment and many of us believe he may not play again."
The 36-year-old has not played since the Ashes as he is caring for his wife, who is ill with cancer.
Justin Langer column
Despite that, and the injury problems he suffered during the series defeat to England last summer, he has said he is not making any plans for next winter at this stage.
But Lawson said: "With his age and the injury problems he's had, not to mention his situation at home, nobody can really say for sure he'll be back."
Clark's emergence, however, is good news for Australia as he has similar line and length qualities.
"Stuart really is comparable to Glenn in many ways.
"His greatest asset is his brain, he really knows his game and the game of cricket. He's accurate and consistent and, as a tall man, he generates good bounce even though he's not explosively fast," said Lawson, who has coached him at state level for New South Wales.
"He's got to be in pole position to cement his place in the side now after what was a very impressive debut."
England will have to do a certain amount of work on him
Geoff Lawson on Stuart Clark
The 30-year-old, who has 23 wickets in 15 one-day internationals at an average of 29.91, was given his chance at the top level after "consistently proving himself, season after season, with his district" says Lawson.
He has 211 wickets in 62 first class matches and his experience of playing on Australian pitches should serve him well in the future.
Lawson said: "He's grown up and learnt his cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which doesn't exactly consistently offer assistance to the bowlers.
"Because of that he's learned to be controlled and that has served him well.
"England will have to do a certain amount of work on him if he lines up against them next winter."