Wayne Clark (cricketer)

Wayne Clark
Personal information
Full name Wayne Maxwell Clark
Born (1953-09-19) 19 September 1953
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium
Role Fast bowler
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 253) 2 December 1977 v India
Last Test 10 March 1979 v Pakistan
Only ODI (cap 40) 22 February 1978 v West Indies
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1974–1982 Western Australia
Career statistics
Competition Tests ODIs FC LA
Matches 10 2 62 29
Runs scored 98 0 717 21
Batting average 5.76 – 12.57 2.62
100s/50s –/– –/– –/– 1/0
Top score 33 – 46* 8*
Balls bowled 2793 100 14579 607
Wickets 44 3 210 29
Bowling average 28.75 20.33 29.37 34.00
5 wickets in innings – – 6 –
10 wickets in match – na 1 0
Best bowling 4/46 2/39 7/26 4/20
Catches/stumpings 6/– 0/– 23/– 5/–
Source: Cricket Archive, 4 September 2012

Wayne Maxwell Clark (born 19 September 1953, Perth, Western Australia) is a former Australian cricketer who played in 10 Tests and 2 ODIs from 1977 to 1979.

Playing career

Clark had a successful debut for West Australia and immediately made an impression. In his first eight first class games he took 30 wickets at an average of 28. This saw him receive an offer from Kerry Packer to be a part of World Series Cricket (WSC).[1][2] He eventually turned it down.[3]

Clark took eight wickets in the first two games of the 1977-78 summer and was rewarded by selection in the Australian side against India for the first test.[4] His bowling was crucial in helping Australia win the game.[5]

Clark continued to play an important role in Australia's success that summer. In January he suffered a bad back injury that saw him miss a Shield game.[6]

Clark played in four tests against the West Indies.

He lost his spot in the 1978-79 Ashes, although managed to get back in the team against Pakistan when Trevor Laughlin was injured.[7] He only played one test before being dropped.[8]

He played 10 tests and 2 ODIs during the WSC era. When the WSC cricket players were available for selection again, Clark was unable to win back his place in the Australian team.

Clark was the centre of controversy during Australia's 1978 tour of the West Indies when local umpire Douglas Sang Hue publicly expressed his doubts about the legality of Clark and team mate Bruce Yardley's bowling, although neither had ever been called for throwing before.[9] This statement and the no balling of Yardley for throwing in a tour match led to Sang Hue's appointment to umpire the 5th and final Test of the series to be withdrawn, which in turn led to anger from the West Indian public who believed Sang Hue was replaced at the Australian team's request.[10]

Coaching career

Clark was the coach of the Western Warriors. In January 2007, it was announced that Clark would step down from his role as Western Australian coach, a role he has had for ten seasons over two stints. He has guided Western Australia to two Pura Cups and 3 One Day Domestic championships in his tenure as coach.

He was also the coach of Yorkshire from 2001-2002 where he led them to their first County Championship title for 33 years in 2001. The following season were relegated form division one but still managed to win the C & G Trophy, a first Lord's final win since 1987. Yorkshire decided to restructure the coaching staff and Clark was offered the position of Bowling Coach for the 2003 season but declined and left the club at the end of 2002.

In 2010, Clark joined Perth radio station 91.3 SportFM's 'Sports Breakfast' team alongside Corbin Middlemas, as well as continuing his expert commentary for their Sheffield Shield broadcasts.

References

  1. ↑ Frith, David. "World Series Cricket - October 1977". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Offer to Clark.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 11 October 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Packer's offer turned down.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 15 October 1977. p. 44. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Six new players named.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 24 November 1977. p. 30. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "Exciting win to Australia.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 7 December 1977. p. 48. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "CLARK OUT OF W.A. TEAM.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 14 January 1978. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Clark back in Test side: Laughlin hurt.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 9 March 1979. p. 35. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "Four dropped from Australia's team.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 17 March 1979. p. 41. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  9. ↑ Robinson, p. 195.
  10. ↑ Robinson, pp. 195-96.

Sources

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