Clark reveals his disappointment

Stuart Clark has revealed his disappointment at being dropped from the Australian Test side, after he played a vital role in their emphatic whitewash in South Africa.

Clark, who it is believed had asked for a break from the one-day series to spend time with his pregnant wife, stated clearly that he was available for the selection for the second Test at Chittagong. But Australia decided to play three spinners in the game and go with Jason Gillespie ahead of Clark, who had been their best bowler against South Africa with 20 wickets in the three Tests.

"I am disappointed to have missed out," Clark was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald. "I said I was available for the whole match, no matter what the circumstances. They chose the team, I wasn't in it, and I only came home once I knew I wasn't picked. I had a bit of a chat with the selectors over there, but I didn't really get into why I wasn't picked. I'll find out more later on."

Merv Hughes, the traveling selector, reasoned that Gillespie was chosen because of his good performance in the first Test and his experience in subcontinental conditions. Gillespie, of course, made a historic double-hundred in the game, posting the highest score by a nightwatchman.

"I had spoken to some people about coming home if things got close," Clark said, referring to the imminent birth of his first child. "They wanted to play three spinners, I guess. I'm not sure about the selection, I haven't looked into that."