Stu Clark to play for Kent

[usalion]

Good move for Stuie, I reckon- contract is through mid-June, when he will join up with the Ashes party- and he will be able to use the matches to get himself back in match form for the Tests- not to mention getting some work on the Pommy pitches.....can we hope Kent play away at the Test venues?

[OzBomber]

Good on him. Brett Lee should be doing the same. You won't get yourself back into the Aussie team through the IPL. Especially if you get hammered.

[aussie1st]

Agree don't know why Lee is going with the IPL. Performing in County cricket would hold more weight with me.

[King Elvis]

Clark is obviously confident enough in his ability to return that he knows actions speak louder than words.

[well left]

Yeah much better move by Clark than Lee. Lee's thought process that he can get himself right for test cricket by bowling 4 over spells in India astounds me. It just smacks of arrogance.

Clark on the other hand has decided to go over to England where the Ashes is going to be played and get as many overs as possible in to prove his form and fitness.

I know which one I'd be selecting.

[Dez!]

It seems Lee thinks it's just a matter of him proving he can run in and bowl for him to be picked to return to the Test team.

Clark seems to know that he's not going to waltz back into the team on reputation and is putting his best foot forward in getting back into the Test team.

Onya Stuey.

:thumbsu:

[lionbear]

don't know why Lee is going with the IPL


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Need I say More;)

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Good on him. Brett Lee should be doing the same. You won't get yourself back into the Aussie team through the IPL. Especially if you get hammered.

What people fail to realise here is that you just can't announce to the world that your playing county cricket and that's that.

Clark did go the IPL auction and was not taken, im not sure of the exact dates of the IPL but id assume that it wouldn't take up to much of the county time.

Fact remains, it's not a case of simply saying, "right, im playing county cricket". A county has to show interest in you and be willing to offer you a contract, there are a number of factors which come into that process. Not every county is going to want to offer a place to an international player for several weeks. Especially when Lee's form in England hasn't been great.

Some county's may not want another seamer, or their international quota may be full, they may not have the money, they may not want to help Australians in an Ashes year, the list goes on.

It's not just a case of saying write im playing county cricket. You need to find a team first.

Lee would have no doubt looked into it and has probably found that there hasn't been much interest in acquiring his services. In that case IPL is the next best thing. Better then not bowling at all.

[mushda]

I love Clark, such a great bowler who doesn't get the same recognition as an average one like Lee. Hope to see him return to form and rip through the Poms.

Lee just appears arrogant, he can't seriously believe IPL will be as beneficial to him as a county stint?

[Dez!]

What people fail to realise here is that you just can't announce to the world that your playing county cricket and that's that.

Clark did go the IPL auction and was not taken, im not sure of the exact dates of the IPL but id assume that it wouldn't take up to much of the county time.

Fact remains, it's not a case of simply saying, "right, im playing county cricket". A county has to show interest in you and be willing to offer you a contract, there are a number of factors which come into that process. Not every county is going to want to offer a place to an international player for several weeks. Especially when Lee's form in England hasn't been great.

Some county's may not want another seamer, or their international quota may be full, they may not have the money, they may not want to help Australians in an Ashes year, the list goes on.

It's not just a case of saying write im playing county cricket. You need to find a team first.

Lee would have no doubt looked into it and has probably found that there hasn't been much interest in acquiring his services. In that case IPL is the next best thing. Better then not bowling at all.

If he wanted to play County Cricket then there would have definitely been interested in him, that argument is ridiculous.

If he wanted to play County Cricket instead of IPL then he would have, the no interest for an international bowler is ridiculous and you can't honestly believe that.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

If he wanted to play County Cricket then there would have definitely been interested in him, that argument is ridiculous.

If he wanted to play County Cricket instead of IPL then he would have, the no interest for an international bowler is ridiculous and you can't honestly believe that.

Really?

Australian management tried to organize some county cricket for Stuart MacGill in the 2005 Ashes series between tets matchs and it was refused. No county wanted to help out the Australians.

It is not just a case of saying I want to play county cricket and then playing. You need a club, there has been an outcry from England when Hughes signed up to Middlesex before this years Ashes with the general theme coming from the masses of "why are we helping out an Aussie in an Ashes year".

It is not as easy as many people here think. Especially when Lee is arguably a fading force or past his best and his record in England is ordinary, why would a club sign up a bowler who has an ordinary England record.

Last time Clark played county cricket for Hampshire he was unstoppable, and even then, Warne was captain and most likely played an influential role in getting him there.

[Dez!]

So why is Clark playing for Kent if they don't want to help out Australians?

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

As such Kent, who are a struggling club in the 2nd tier i think, would take a bowler like Clark (with a proven record in county cricket) at the drop of a hat.

Im not sure many others would want Lee to be perfectly honest. Even then, there has been an uproar with the signing of Stuart Clark. Back in the early 2000's just about any Australian/State cricketer who wanted county cricket could play it. Those days are long gone.

Here is an quote from an article from independent.co.uk, do a simple Google news serach on Stuart Clark for more articles.

The decision of Kent to sign Stuart Clark so that he continue his rehabilitation from injury in order to be fit for the Test series has met with dismay throughout the game," he said. "Clearly it's up to Kent which players they sign but it's an incredibly busy and important year for cricket in England and we wish to give England every chance of regaining the Ashes. "

We all know the impetus gained from the 2005 success which led to greater financial rewards and participation in the game. I would have hoped all counties would have shared our goal of repeating that and would have allowed every possible opportunity to succeed."

Morris's frustration was shared by the chairman of selectors, Geoff Miller, who is in Guyana helping to plot a way to win against the West Indies in the forthcoming one-day series. "It's disappointing," Miller said. "I can't see it happening the other way round." Privately, he must have been seething. The last thing he and a beleaguered England needed towards the culmination of a long winter was to be usurped at home.



These aren't just randoms from the local pub having their opinion, they are pretty influential people on the ECB voicing their opinions.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

So why is Clark playing for Kent if they don't want to help out Australians?

Simply because Kent is a struggling club i believe, and Kent have had success with Steve Waugh coming to the club in a similar situation and giving a real boost around the place.

Kent have said they are getting Clark to help guide the younger players in the side and get experience along international standard players. Fact remains, it is not just a case of Lee saying "I want to play county cricket and then playing it".

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

For what it's worth, i think England are a bit precious to start saying too clubs to not sign Australian players, but remember some countys rely on the ECB for funds so they are not going to bite the hand that feeds them.

The guy that runs Middlesex said that signing Phil Hughes was "not ideal" but that they wanted to get a player because Owasis Shaw was heading to the IPL. It's obvious that the county's would prefer to not sign Australains in an Ashes year but sometimes they need to because they have lost other players for whatever reason.

[frankrizzo]

It's a bit rich from the English considering most of the time half their team are born overseas.

If they didn't let foreign born players in a young south African bloke wouldn't be making buckets of runs for them now.

That chap i believe also credited a lot of his early confidence at test level to his county skipper, i think he played for Australia as well....took a few wickets in ashes contests if i recall....hmm.

[Freo Big Fella]

Really?

Australian management tried to organize some county cricket for Stuart MacGill in the 2005 Ashes series between tets matchs and it was refused. No county wanted to help out the Australians.

That was more to do with MacGill's ridiculously poor behavioural record in previous county stints than any institutional paranoia over playing Australians.

If Lee was genuinely interested in playing County Cricket I'd be very suprised if there was no interest whatsoever - Nuffy Counties like Derbys and Gloucs would kill for a bowler 300+ Test Wickets.

[grizzlym]

Angus Fraser had no qualms about signing Hughes up for Middlesex for a stint prior to the Ashes. Just last week, Fraser came out strongly dismissing criticisms that it would help Australia win the Ashes as "xenophobic".
Bizarre turn of phrase there. Anyway, the point being: there are counties who see value in having credentialed internationals on short term contracts. Whether Lee has any currency is pure speculation.

Interestingly though, like Phillip Hughes has done, he'd have to forgo playing clown cricket in the IPL to play county.

[Mr P@H]

That was more to do with MacGill's ridiculously poor behavioural record in previous county stints than any institutional paranoia over playing Australians.

If Lee was genuinely interested in playing County Cricket I'd be very suprised if there was no interest whatsoever - Nuffy Counties like Derbys and Gloucs would kill for a bowler 300+ Test Wickets.
How much would Lee want? Those bottom tier counties aren't loaded like Surrey, MSex, Lancs. Most teams have an overseas in place for a whole season, the only opening is at Hants, we have North lined up for early in the season but we may not get him until May and he plays until he joins up with the Australian team and is replaced by Tahir. If Lee wants to play for a month in April with Hants i'd more than happily accept that, if he accepts he won't be able to play after North arrives.

[DaveW]

It's revealing that some in the English camp lack the confidence to fight a fully prepared Australia.

Then again, both the 2005 losses came when McGrath was on the sidelines.

[OzBomber]

How much would Lee want? Those bottom tier counties aren't loaded like Surrey, MSex, Lancs. Most teams have an overseas in place for a whole season, the only opening is at Hants, we have North lined up for early in the season but we may not get him until May and he plays until he joins up with the Australian team and is replaced by Tahir. If Lee wants to play for a month in April with Hants i'd more than happily accept that, if he accepts he won't be able to play after North arrives.I'm sure if he had half a brain he wouldn't care as long as he is getting a long bowl. Instead of short 4 over bursts getting hit over the boundary line.

[aussie1st]

Counties criticised over Aussie imports

England cricket bosses have slammed county sides who've signed Australia internationals as overseas players ahead of this year's Ashes series.

They believe the likes of Kent, whose attack will be bolstered by pace bowler Stuart Clark for the early part of the season and Middlesex, who will have Australia batsman Phillip Hughes in their squad ahead of the five-Test series, are giving their oldest rivals an advantage by allowing their players to acclimatise to English conditions.

England chiefs are also convinced that Sheffield Shield sides would never allow a "Pom" to get used to Australian pitches ahead of an Ashes contest.

Clark took 26 wickets in Australia's 5-0 Ashes thrashing of England in 2006-07 and will be looking to regain fitness, as well as form, with Kent following an elbow injury.

"The decision of Kent to sign Stuart Clark so he can continue his rehabilitation after injury to enable him to be fit for the Ashes series has been met with dismay throughout the game," furious England managing director Hugh Morris told the BBC on Wednesday.

"Of course, it is up to Kent which players they sign but it is an incredibly busy and important year for cricket in England and we wish to give the team every chance of regaining the Ashes."

England national selector Geoff Miller, in the Caribbean for the side's one-day series against the West Indies, added: "It's disappointing to hear Kent have signed a bowler who has played in English conditions before and is just coming back to fitness.

"Middlesex have already signed a batsman in Phil Hughes who has not had experience of English conditions before and now will have that for the Ashes - I don't think this would happen the other way around."

But Middlesex chairman Ian Lovett defended the Lord's-based side's hiring of Hughes by telling The Times: "We signed Hughes before he played for Australia."

And Kent chief executive Paul Millman said in relation to Clark: "If we hadn't signed Stuart, another county would have done - there is absolutely no doubt about that."

The first Ashes Test is due to start in Cardiff on July 8.


http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/counties-criticised-over-aussie-imports-20090319-92cd.html

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

I think they are over-reacting a bit to be honest, i really don't think whether or not a player has experience of English conditions makes a big difference. You still need to bowl in the right area and the basics of batting don't change.

[dumb]

agreed. clark's kent idea is super, man ;]

[Badesumofu]

Nice pun, haha.

In all seriousness, though, this is absolutely beyond pathetic. The fact that they are openly saying that they want Australia to not be able to put its best team on the park is quite revealing, I think.

There are now some suggestions that England might impose a ban on Australians playing county cricket in Ashes years. I suspect there would be a lot of legal issues there - whether the ECB even have that authority, and if they do, there's also restraint of trade to consider.

[Mr P@H]

Nice pun, haha.

In all seriousness, though, this is absolutely beyond pathetic. The fact that they are openly saying that they want Australia to not be able to put its best team on the park is quite revealing, I think.

There are now some suggestions that England might impose a ban on Australians playing county cricket in Ashes years. I suspect there would be a lot of legal issues there - whether the ECB even have that authority, and if they do, there's also restraint of trade to consider.
They cannot stop them, they can fine them.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

agreed. clark's kent idea is super, man ;]

Lol! Did you steal that from a paper? Very clever:thumbsu:

[Nankervis brothers]

I think they are over-reacting a bit to be honest, i really don't think whether or not a player has experience of English conditions makes a big difference. You still need to bowl in the right area and the basics of batting don't change.

Sure, batting fundamentals remain the same and bowlers have to hit a line and length. But conditions do change from nation to nation and both batsman and bowler need to adjust, no matter how subtly, to these changes. If this were not the case then there would be no advantage in playing on home soil, and nothing particularly special about winning a series away (winning in India would be no big deal, for instance).

Clark has got it right. He will bowl long and regular spells with the red Kent ball in the same conditions the Ashes will be played in. Lee will bowl a series of short, meaningless spells with the wrong colored ball in a junk league on another continent.

Excuse the rhetorical nature of my question, but which of the two paths do you think will best prepare a bowler for the upcoming Ashes series, and which of the two paths has the potential to impress the selectors more?

[grizzlym]

Excuse the rhetorical nature of my question, but which of the two paths do you think will best prepare a bowler for the upcoming Ashes series, and which of the two paths has the potential to impress the selectors more?


That's based on the assumption that the selectors need impressing. It seems if Brett's publicly pumping iron in some North Sydney gym and regularly saying things like, "fittest and strongest I've ever been" then, well, that might be all the impressing they need. I truly hope that's not the case.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Sure, batting fundamentals remain the same and bowlers have to hit a line and length. But conditions do change from nation to nation and both batsman and bowler need to adjust, no matter how subtly, to these changes. If this were not the case then there would be no advantage in playing on home soil, and nothing particularly special about winning a series away (winning in India would be no big deal, for instance).

Clark has got it right. He will bowl long and regular spells with the red Kent ball in the same conditions the Ashes will be played in. Lee will bowl a series of short, meaningless spells with the wrong colored ball in a junk league on another continent.

Excuse the rhetorical nature of my question, but which of the two paths do you think will best prepare a bowler for the upcoming Ashes series, and which of the two paths has the potential to impress the selectors more?





I appreciate that, but i still believe too much is made of experience in certain conditions.

Most of our players would have bowled in England in under-age tours. They will all get practise games before hand. The basics of bowling still remain the same, try and hit the top of off stump.

[Grimwood]

I don't agree with most of the comments coming from the ECB, they sound childish, but the counties shouldn't complain about getting hammered by the fans. They are utterly self-serving and they nearly always block moves to sort out the structure of the game in England.