Stuart Clark doubtful for second Test

Mohali, Oct 15 (UNI) With clouds over the fitness of dependable seamer Stuart Clark, Australia will begin preparations for the second Test against India here today.

After complaining of elbow soreness in the first innings of the first Test in Bangalore, Clark was limited in his bowling and forced to make under arm returns from the boundary.

Although he delivered a testing spell on the final day of the match, he will be rested from training today, before testing out the elbow at the team's final pre-Test session tomorrow.

''He's not going to bowl at training tomorrow, just so we can maximise his recovery and give him the best chance to be able to play on Friday,'' team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said yesterday.

''We'll see how he pulls up and if he feels ok, we will play him.'' There is a chance Clark will be encouraged to recover fitness quickly by the sight of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Ground here, which has been known to offer assistance to seam bowlers in the past.

Another Australian looking for some further encouragement is Brett Lee, who needs only one more wicket to surpass Craig McDermott and become Australia's fourth highest wicket-taker in Tests.

Lee and McDermott are currently locked on 291 wickets apiece.

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