Clark has been out of action since December with an elbow injury

Kent are confident they will be able to sign a new overseas player to replace Stuart Clark before the new season.

The seamer has been called up by Australia for the rest of the South Africa tour plus the upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE.

Coach Simon Willis told BBC Radio Kent: "We are calling around the world to find out who might be available and we are getting closer.

"We are working hard to get someone for the start of the season on Tuesday."

Willis added: "There's a lot of paperwork that goes with it, with the change in visa requirements, so we're going through that process.

"As and when we know we've got someone and the paperwork has gone through, then we'll be able to announce it."

Clark, 33, was due to be at Canterbury for the first six weeks of the season.

But the call-up by Australia meant he would not have been able to make his debut for Kent until their Friends Provident Trophy game against Warwickshire on 10 May.

And he would have available for only two Championship matches before joining Australia again for this summer's Ashes series, assuming he is selected.

Kent start their season on Tuesday against Northampton in a County Championship match at Canterbury.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version