Clark looks long-term after surgery

Stuart Clark, the Australia fast bowler, hopes to play for another three or four years after being encouraged by his recovery from elbow surgery. Clark, who is 33, has had a disrupted season since being hampered by the problem during the tour of India and electing to have an operation when the series against South Africa began.

Clark, who bowled three overs in his return for Sydney University on Saturday, did not make his Test debut until he was 30 and thinks the late entry will help extend his career. "I believe it depends on what age you come into international cricket," he said in the Sunday Mail.

"If you come in when you are young, you have about eight to 10 years of good international cricket just because the travel and the number of games you play wears you down. I came in late, so I missed a lot of that wear and tear when I was younger."

Clark, who has appeared in 22 Tests, said he had "three or four years of good cricket in me", but his first priority was getting back to full fitness. He will hope to be ready for New South Wales' Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Newcastle on Friday to prove his form and fitness for the tour of South Africa.

On that trip three years ago Clark stormed to 20 wickets at 15.85 in his debut series. "I know not many fast bowlers go on beyond the age of 33 or 34," he said, "but I am going to beg to differ."