Thaindian News

Sydney, Dec 15 (IANS) Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark’s career is facing a career-threatening injury.Clark has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa starting Wednesday after injuring his elbow in training.

Clark will see a surgeon Tuesday to determine the next course of action but is expected to be out for at least two months, which would mean he may not make the trip to South Africa for the return three-Test series.

Physiotherapist Alex Kountouris confirmed Clark has a bone spur on the elbow, but was confident the bowler could come back.

“It’s either rest or have surgery to remove the spur,” Kountouris was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

“I think the likely option is that he probably will have surgery to remove the spur because if you’re going to rest you might as well fix the problem. If he has surgery you won’t see him in this series. It’s probably hard to say what his prognosis will be.”

“There’s always a risk that things can go wrong or it can take longer than expected.”

The loss of the opening bowler three days before the first Test against South Africa in Perth is another blow to the Australian side.

Peter Siddle has been rushed as replacement and looks a good chance to play ahead of all-rounder Shane Watson, if it comes down to playing three pacemen and a spinner. The Victorian bowler replaced Clark when he broke down with the same problem in India and impressed all with his effort.