Stuart Clark called up as cover

Stuart Clark unwinds at Manchester after being called up as cover for Lee and McGrath © Getty Images

Stuart Clark, the New South Wales pace bowler, has been called up to the Australian Test squad as cover for Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, who are both in doubt for the third Test starting at Old Trafford on Thursday. Clark is currently in England, where he is playing county cricket for Middlesex and will join the Australian squad in Manchester.

Clark took 40 wickets at 25.98 in the 2004-05 Pura Cup season, including a haul of 5 for 10 against Victoria. He took 5 for 61 for Middlesex against Warwickshire in his last county match. "We consider Stuart to be a similar style bowler to Glenn McGrath," Trevor Hohns, Australia's chairman of selectors was quoted as saying in a Cricket Australia release. "He is already in England and showing some good form, so we have selected him to provide some cover for the current injuries."

Glenn McGrath tore the lateral ligament in his right ankle just before the second Test at Edgbaston. Brett Lee is currently in a hospital in Birmingham, being treated for an infected knee. The Ashes series is currently tied at one apiece.