Stuart Clark was enjoying a moderately successful spell with Middlesex last summer when Australia's seam bowlers were hit by a collective crisis of injury and form.

Clark was called up as a late addition to the national squad and, although he didn't play in that series, he was clearly back in the selectors' thoughts after years of honest toil.

Long tipped as a potential successor to Glenn McGrath, Clark had to wait until after his 30th birthday to finally earn his baggy green.

But his debut was one to remember. His match figures of nine for 89 against South Africa were the third-best ever by an Australian Test debutant, and his 20 wickets at a shade over 15s earned him the man-of-the-series gong.

A lanky opening bowler, Clark troubles batsmen with bounce, seam movement and decent control of line and length.

Many in Australia are calling for the more explosive Shaun Tait or Mitchell Johnson to add fire to the attack as they look to regain the Ashes.

But if Australia play 'safe' and opt for Clark, they have a bowler with an impressive record in his embryonic Test career who would relish the chance to fight for Test cricket's biggest prize.