Clark call-up alters Kent's plans

Stuart Clark returns to the Australia one-day setup in place of Brett Geeves

Kent are searching for a new overseas player after Stuart Clark was called into Australia’s squad for their one-day international series in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

The 33-year-old seamer was due to arrive in Kent for the domestic season, but injury to Brett Geeves means he was summoned for the final two ODIs in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg instead.

He was also named in Australia’s squad for the five-match ODI rubber with Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which lasts from April 21 to May 7.

Kent chief executive Paul Millman said: "We are delighted for Stuart that he has been called up by Australia but it obviously it means he'll be unable to fulfil his contract with us.

“It's just a matter of it not fitting in with his timetable.

“We will spend the weekend assessing our options and will endeavour to have alternative arrangements in place as soon as possible.

“We have a good relationship with Stuart and there is still the possiibility he may be able to play for us sometime in the future, but as from now, we are actively looking around at other options.

“Because the news came through so quickly we have been unable to arrange anything straight away, but we are now looking around at alternatives for this season.”

The New South Wales paceman, who is on the comeback from elbow surgery, had been due to make his Kent debut in their LV= County Championship match with Northamptonshire on April 21.

Clark has taken 50 wickets in 36 ODIs for Australia.