Stuart Clark’s test bowling average is 23. TWENTY THREE. In the modern era that is about as good as it gets.

But how many Test matches can you remember him winning?

I asked some of my Aussie mates about Test matches he starred in. One said he thought he was really good in South Africa (his debut series), another said Headingley (three wickets for the game) and the rest all mumbled about how good a bowler he has been over the last few years.

A bit like the reason Charlie Kaufman picked John Malkovich for Being John Malkovich. Everyone had seen a Malkovich film, but before Being John Malkovich came out no one could actually name one.

There is no doubt that Clark is a class act. He was Australia’s most important bowler when Warne and McGrath left. But he just doesn’t win games on his own, or stand out from the likes of Lee or Johnson.

Now Andrew Hilditch has unofficially ended Clark’s career.  Unless injuries force him back into the frame, dropping him from the first Test squad against West Indies at the Gabba shows that Australia have moved on.  For a fast bowler getting dropped for the Gabba is never a good sign.

At 34, and with the media continually mentioning that he has lost his nip, it seems that no one is pushing his case.  Every time he plays a game with a speed-gun present people make up their own mind.

The more you look at his career, the more he looks like a place-holder.  Someone Australia brought in as a like-for-like replacement for McGrath but now need to move on from as they are rebuilding the team.  A disposable fast-bowling commodity.

There isn’t much that Clark can do. Since the Oval Test he has played in two first-class games, and one of those was on a road.  When all the Australians were getting injured in India Clark was overlooked for a position.  It is hard to push your case if you aren’t playing.

Some people (me) think it is unfair that Clark has been pushed out when Mike Hussey is the same age and yet hasn’t performed at Test level for 18-months. Perhaps Clark is just unlucky, or maybe that is a bowler’s lot.

After Headingley Clark was looked at as Australia’s missing link, now it looks like he will remain missing.  Unless John Malkovich plays him in a film.

Jrod is an Australian blogger, and now author. His book The Year Of The Balls 2008: A Disrespective is available now