Is 35 too old to be a fast bowler for Australia?

STUART CLARK fears the national selectors are focused on the wrong figures, with his skinny Test average of 23.86 appearing to have been overshadowed by his age as Australia prepare to field a pace attack that needs to regroup for the Ashes.

Clark, who lost his Cricket Australia contract at the last round of negotiations, said

''I'm 35,'' replied Clark when asked why he'd been overlooked. "No one has said that to me but it's evident they [the selectors] want young guys. I'm very real about it. If they pick me, I'd love to play for Australia - but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. So be it."

Clark was a late bloomer who burst onto the Test arena in 2006 when, at 30, he was named player of the Test series against South Africa after taking 20 wickets at 15.75.

Clark, who is captain of NSW, said he'd trained hard during the off-season and fitness wouldn't be an issue should he need to pull his baggy green cap out of storage. ''Physically, I'm pretty good, I had all winter to prepare and look after myself," said 

''I think, to be fair, that people are being too critical of the attack because it is hard work in India," Clark said. 

 I'm actually annoyed by some of the comments being made about Australia's bowling attack."