Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has signed forWorcestershire as a replacement overseas player for the opening weeks of the forthcoming county season.

Clark, 26, will fill in for Andy Bichel at New Road, thanks mainly to his impressive performances in Australian domestic cricket this season, where he is currently the top wicket-taker.

Worcestershire's director of cricket, Western Australian Tom Moody, is in no doubt that Clark will prove up to the job. "Clark has been carefully selected ahead of other international cricketers because of his outstanding recent form in Australian domestic cricket, he is on the fringe of selection for his country." said Moody.

Clark, who helped New South Wales to victory in Australia's premier domestic one-day competition, the ING Cup, follows in the footsteps of compatriots Bichel and Glenn McGrath in becoming the leader of Worcestershire's attack.

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