Wayne Clark
Personal information
Full name
Wayne Maxwell Clark
Born (1953-09-19) 19 September 1953
Perth, Western Australia
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
RoleBowler
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 283)2 December 1977 v India
Last Test10 March 1979 v Pakistan
Only ODI (cap 40)22 February 1978 v West Indies
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1973/74–1984/85Western Australia
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 10 2 62 29
Runs scored 98 – 717 21
Batting average 5.76 – 12.57 2.62
100s/50s 0/0 – 0/0 1/0
Top score 33 – 46* 8*
Balls bowled 2,793 100 14,579 607
Wickets 44 3 210 29
Bowling average 28.75 20.33 29.37 34.00
5 wickets in innings 0 0 6 0
10 wickets in match 0 0 1 0
Best bowling 4/46 2/39 7/26 4/20
Catches/stumpings 6/– 0/– 23/– 5/–
Source: CricInfo, 4 September 2012

Wayne Maxwell Clark (born 19 September 1953) is a former Australian cricketer who played in 10 Test matches and two One Day Internationals between 1977 and 1979.

Playing career

Clark made his first class debut in 1974–75 and replaced Mick Malone for a game in 1975–76.[1] However he was not a regular member of the West Australian team until 1976–77 when he took 25 wickets at 26.96.

In his first eight first class games he took 30 wickets at an average of 28. He was part of the WA attack who defeated Queensland in a Gillette Cup semi-final, defending 77.[2]

International Career: 1977–78 vs India

Clark's efforts saw him receive an offer from Kerry Packer to be a part of World Series Cricket (WSC).[3][4] He eventually turned it down. Clark's business adviser, Mr Bert Hewitt, said a "sense of sporting patriotism and loyalty" was the overriding factor for this.[5]

Clark took eight wickets in the first two games of the 1977–78 summer at 32.63 and was rewarded by selection in the Australian side against India for the first Test. The bowling attack consisted of Clark, Jeff Thomson, Alan Hurst and Tony Mann.[6] Clark had an excellent game, taking 4–46 in the first innings (including the wickets of Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath) and 4–101 in the second (including Gavaskar again and Dilip Vengsarkar). His second innings knock of 12, including a 31 run partnership with Jeff Thomson, proved unexpectedly crucial as Australia won by 16 runs.[7][8]

There were press reports about the legitimacy of Clark's action. "I don't know that all the fuss is about", said Indian captain Bishen Bedi. "None of our officials or players have said they consider Clark throws the ball – it's something that has been blown up by the Press".[9]

Clark had a strong second Test, taking 2–95 and 2–83 (Gavaskar in both innings) with useful scores with the bat of 15 and 5 not out – the latter was important as he and Thomson chased down the 12 runs to win with two wickets in hand.[10] He kept his place for the next two tests.[11]

In the third Test Clark took 4–73 and 4–96, but Australia's batting was not as strong an India won by 222 runs (Clark's second innings score of 33 was Australia's second highest).[12][13] He took 2–66 in the fourth Test, but India won by an innings and 2 runs.[14] He suffered a bad back injury that saw him miss a Shield game.[15] He recovered to play a Gillette Game against NSW, taking 4–20 off 7.2 overs and winning the man of the match award.[16][17]

Australia fought back to win the 5th test. It was a difficult game for Australia's bowlers as Thomson broke down early in India's first innings. Clark took 4–62 and 2–79.[18][19]

Clark took 28 wickets for the series, which was still the record for the most wickets taken in a series without taking 5 wickets in an innings until overtaken by Pat Cummins in the 2019 Ashes series in England.[20] Wisden later reported that Clark "bowled an excellent line and length, even though called upon to do a lot of work. He invariably broke through with the new ball and had a splendid record of dismissing Gavaskar, the principal danger to the Australians."[21]

His work earned him selection on the 1978 tour of the West Indies.[22]

1977–78 West Indies Tour

Clark played in four tests against the West Indies.

In the first test he took 0–41.[23] The second 2–77 with reports saying he "bowled gallantly without luck."[24][25] The third he got 4–65 and 4–124, helping set up Australia's sole test victory.[26]

In a game against Windward Islands, Clark took a career best 12–70.[27]

The fourth test he got 3–65 and 2–62 but Australia collapsed in the second innings and lost the game.[28] Clark was dogged by back trouble.[29] He was rested for the game against Jamaica.

Clark was the centre of controversy during the tour when local umpire Douglas Sang Hue publicly expressed his doubts about the legality of Clark and teammate Bruce Yardley's bowling, although neither had ever been called for throwing before.[30][31] 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.[32][33]

He had taken 31 first class wickets at 23.35 for the tour and 15 wickets at 30.73 for the tests.

1978–79 Summer

England toured Australia for the 1978–79 summer. At the beginning of the season English captain Mike Brearley said he expected Clark to be one of the players to give his team the most trouble.[34] However Clark began the domestic season slowly and was replaced by Alan Hurst, Rodney Hogg and Geoff Dymock.

His form improved later in the summer taking 6–47 against South Australia,[35] 5–54 against Victoria[36] and 6–39 against Queensland.[37] He managed to get back in the team for the first test against Pakistan when Trevor Laughlin was injured.[38]

Clark took 1–56 and 0–47 in an Australian defeat.[39] He was dropped for the second test in favour of Laughlin.[40] He took 35 first class wickets at 30.25 over the summer. He was overlooked for the 1979 World Cup and tour of India.[41]

Later career

Clark was not selected for the WA team at the start of the 1979–80 summer.[42] However he forced his way back into the team and was part of Western Australia's Sheffield Shield winning sides in 1980–81 and 1983–84; he captained the side in some games. His best season was in 1982–83 when he took 31 wickets at 25.83.

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 to 2002 where he led them to their first County Championship title for 33 years in 2001. The following season were relegated from 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. ↑ "Ian Chappell confident". The Canberra Times. Vol. 50, no. 14, 276. 16 January 1976. p. 12. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "Lillee bowls WA into cup final". The Canberra Times. Vol. 51, no. 14, 556. 13 December 1976. p. 14. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ Frith, David. "World Series Cricket – October 1977". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Offer to Clark". The Canberra Times. 11 October 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Packer's offer turned down". The Canberra Times. 15 October 1977. p. 44. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "Six new players named". The Canberra Times. 24 November 1977. p. 30. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "Exciting win to Australia". The Canberra Times. 7 December 1977. p. 48. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 1st Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  9. ↑ "WA maintains its record". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 955. 13 December 1977. p. 24. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "Two-wicket win to Australia". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 964. 22 December 1977. p. 24. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "Test team retained for the next two". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 965. 23 December 1977. p. 14. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "India's margin is 222 runs". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 976. 5 January 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "Full Scorecard of India vs Australia 3rd Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 4th Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  15. ↑ "CLARK OUT OF W.A. TEAM". The Canberra Times. 14 January 1978. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ↑ "WA moves into Gillette final Easy win over NSW despite three foolish run-outs". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 991. 23 January 1978. p. 11. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ↑ "The Home of CricketArchive : Scorecard". Cricketarchive.com.
  18. ↑ "Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 5th Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  19. ↑ "Australia wins Test series But India battles all the way". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 502. 4 February 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ↑ Walmsley, Keith (2003). Mosts Without in Test Cricket. Reading, England: Keith Walmsley. p. 382. ISBN 0947540067.
  21. ↑ "India in Australia, 1977-78".
  22. ↑ "Five dropped for next Test TOURING TEAM". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 14, 990. 21 January 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ↑ "Full Scorecard of Australia vs West Indies 1st Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Thomson notwithstanding, a nine-wicket loss". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 539. 21 March 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ↑ "Full Scorecard of Australia vs West Indies 2nd Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  26. ↑ "Full Scorecard of West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  27. ↑ "Australians beat Islands by 52 runs CRICKET". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 557. 11 April 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ↑ "Full Scorecard of West Indies vs Australia 4th Test 1977/78 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  29. ↑ "Batting was 'worst of the tour'". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 565. 20 April 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ↑ "Sang H[?]e 'not to stand in Test' CRICKET". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 571. 27 April 1978. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ↑ Robinson, p. 195.
  32. ↑ Robinson, pp. 195–96.
  33. ↑ "Foster back in W. Indies Test team". The Canberra Times. Vol. 52, no. 15, 572. 28 April 1978. p. 25. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ↑ "'Extra pressure' on tour". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 741. 27 October 1978. p. 20. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ↑ "Target is 317, or nine wickets". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 795. 20 December 1978. p. 40. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ↑ "WA overall lead of 79". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 827. 22 January 1979. p. 16. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  37. ↑ "Qld bowlers on top in Perth". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 855. 19 February 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  38. ↑ "Clark back in Test side: Laughlin hurt". The Canberra Times. 9 March 1979. p. 35. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  39. ↑ "Full Scorecard of Pakistan vs Australia 1st Test 1978/79 – Score Report". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  40. ↑ "Four dropped from Australia's team". The Canberra Times. 17 March 1979. p. 41. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  41. ↑ "Cup squad surprises". The Canberra Times. Vol. 53, no. 15, 902. 7 April 1979. p. 45. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  42. ↑ "McEwen in WA team". The Canberra Times. Vol. 54, no. 16, 096. 20 October 1979. p. 38. Retrieved 16 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.

Sources

  • Robinson, R. (1979) The Wildest Tests, Cassell Australia: Sydney. ISBN 0 7269 7375 0.
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