Australia fast bowler Stuart Clark not coming to Kent

Clark has twice played English county cricket with Hampshire and Middlesex

Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark will not be joining Kent after all as their overseas player for the first half of the 2010 season.

After losing his services last season when he was called up by Australia, Clark, 34, was hopeful of returning for a second crack this summer.

But, in a statement, Kent say that the seamer is "not where the club wants him to be fitness-wise".

Clark has just returned to action after three months out with a back injury.

Kent are now exploring "other options" as they bid to find a replacement.

The club are seeking alternatives and one unnamed alternative has just been named by his country in their ICC World Twenty20 Cup squad.

Coach Paul Farbrace told BBC Radio Kent the decision to cancel the contract was a mutual one.

He said: "It was taken between myself, Rob Key and Stuart Clark. It was obvious it was going to be tough for Stuart to come.

"He played in two Shield games and a grade game in Australia and bowled some overs in those three games, but it was clear he wasn't able to come.

"He wanted to give it his best shot but he is an honest person and between us we came to the conclusion it was too much of a risk for both parties."

It means only Malinga Bandara is signed up as an overseas player. The Sri Lankan is due to arrive in late May, but Kent face going through the first half of the season without an overseas player.

We have someone who we are talking to but if that doesn't work, chances are we will go in without somebody

Kent coach Paul Farbrace

Farbrace added: "We have spoken to one or two people to get them in the frame but it's difficult with the IPL and the Twenty20 world cup, to get someone available for a substantial time to make a difference.

"If you fly someone in for two weeks, I just don't think it's worth the risk. By the time they settle in it's time to go back to Heathrow and go somewhere else in the world.

"We have someone who we are talking to but if that doesn't work, chances are we will go in without somebody. We are not going to sign someone for the sake of it.

"They have got to be high quality, who fits into our environment, and they have to be value for money and with the financial situation we are in we cannot afford to take any risks."