The bounce back theory

Stuart Clark insisted his extra bounce could help Australia in their quest to draw level in the Ashes during next weeks third Test against England at Edgbaston.

Stuart Clark insisted his extra bounce could help Australia in their quest to draw level in the Ashes during next weeks third Test against England at Edgbaston. The 33-year-old seamer was overlooked for the first two Tests,including Englands 115-run second Test win at Lords,which saw Australia left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson struggling for line and length. While Clark took two top-order wickets against Northamptonshire here on Saturday,Johnsons seven wicketless overs cost 42 runs.

Fully-fit after an elbow injury,Clark played in both of Australias pre-Ashes tour matches against Sussex and the England Lions. Despite being reduced to 12th man duties in the series so far,Clark believes he could be the man to help Australia take 20 wickets something theyve so far yet to manage in a first-class match this tour. Im older and I get the ball to bounce a little bit more than the other Australian bowlers,being a little bit taller, Clark said. Thats probably my biggest weapon on these wickets. It can make you a handful.

Australia have also had to do without Brett Lee in the Ashes so far because of a rib injury which is set to keep him out of action at Edgbaston as well. There had been speculation that Clark might have been included in the drawn Ashes opener at Cardiff,where Johnsons poor spell with the new ball late on the final day helped England cling on for a draw with one wicket remaining. I was disappointed and I suppose surprised, Clark said of being omitted at in Cardiff.

I was not given any guarantee I was going to play,and the selectors went with a combination they thought would get them 20 wickets. If given the opportunity to play again,it is an Australian cricketers dream to play Tests against England in England, he said. Clark,who has played 22 Tests,added: Ive sat on the sidelines and watched,and its been pretty hard to do that for the two Test matches. I may have to watch for the next three but Im going to do everything in my power to make sure I control my destiny.

Watson credits Greg for batting tips

Shane Watson says Greg Chappell has helped him prepare his technique to match up to the demands of facing the new ball in Test cricket. Chappell,presently the head coach of Centre of Excellence,worked with Watson while the all-rounder was recovering from back stress fractures during the Australian summer,helping him streamline his strokeplay. The hard work paid dividends as Watson,elevated to No. 3 in the Australian order,had few problems negotiating the short-pitched deliveries that accounted for Phillip Hughes,hooking and pulling with assuredness in his first outing of the tour.

Its definitely helped my game a lot and eradicated all the complex things that used to go in with my technique and in my mind, Watson told Cricinfo of his sessions with Chappell. Just simplify them to give myself the best chance of performing consistently. Its my pre-movement. I used to have a forward press and was on my heels a bit more. Now its just loading up on my toes and keeping still to make sure Im in a really powerful position.

Brief scores: Australians 308/8 decl amp; 270/3 decl A McDonald 75,P Hughes 68; G White 1/49 beat Northamptonshire 226/7 decl amp; 217 N OBrien 58; B Howgego 46; A McDonald 4/15