Injured Australian paceman Stuart Clark hasn't been idle while he recovers from elbow surgery. While he is working hard on his rehab, the man they call 'Sarfraz' has also been busy promoting an exciting new cricket venture with Johnnie Walker Red Label. He talked to Sportal's Adam Lucius on day two of the Sydney Test.
Sportal: How is the elbow injury coming along?
Clark: Really well thank-you. It will be three weeks tomorrow and it's getting a lot better.
Sportal: What's the rehabilitation plan from here?
Clark: I see the doctor again next week and hopefully he'll let me start doing some light bowling. At the moment it's just some light physio.
Sportal: What's a realistic ambition as far as getting back on the field?
Clark: I'm not sure – we will have to play it by ear – but I'm hopeful of going to South Africa. It will all depend on how well I pull up after bowling. There will be a bit of bowling at grade level and a bit of first class as well and we will see how it goes.
Sportal: Are the Ashes a more realistic goal?
Clark: I'll definitely be fit by the Ashes – it's more about being fit a long time before that.
Sportal: What sort of patient have you been?
Clark: Poor. I've been a very poor patient. I've found it very frustrating and hard to watch the games. I haven’t watched a lot and when I do I end up getting frustrated and turning the TV off and going elsewhere to do something else. I've cleaned the house and found other things to do because it's just too hard watching knowing I could have been out there.
Sportal: What have you made of the current series against South Africa?
Clark: It's been competitive, very hard-fought. We've had our noses in front for different portions of the games but unfortunately the results haven't gone our way. It's just unfortunate we haven’t won these last two Test matches. If we can get a win here in Sydney and get some momentum going into the South African tour then anything can happen.
Sportal: You must be looking forward to seeing your NSW team-mate Doug Bollinger in action at the SCG?
Clark: I can’t wait to see him get out there and cut loose. He's going to be very keen and fired up and hopefully he can have some success. He's bowled well at the SCG and knows the ground well. He's biggest issue will be not to try too hard.
Sportal: Can you tell us about the Johnnie Walker Local to Lord's promotion?
Clark: It's a chance for someone to travel across nine different countries promoting Johnnie Walker and cricket, culminating with the Ashes Test at Lord's.
Sportal: How do you enter?
Clark: All you've got to do is send in a two-minute video demonstrating how you would set-up an impromptu cricket game with anyone, anywhere and send the clip to www.localtolords.com or you can take part in auditions happening at selected bars and pubs across Australia. Sydney's Fox and Lion (Bent St) and Light Brigade Hotel (Oxford St) will be hosting and filming auditions on January 4 and 5.
Sportal: What are the judges looking for?
Clark: The judging committee, which includes television presenter and former Test star Brendon Julian, is after someone with cricketing ability, a desire for adventure, initiative, creativity, charisma and charm and the ability to teach cricket to non-cricketers.
Sportal: A dream job for a cricket tragic?
Clark: It sure is. It's a unique career opportunity for a budding writer, photographer or aspiring presenter. The winner will get to travel to nine countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam Mongolia and Russia.
Sportal: Best of luck with the injury and hopefully we will see you back in action sooner rather than later.
Clark: Thanks for your support. I'm counting the days until I'm back out in the middle.