27 July, 2009
Andrew Wu at Northampton, Sportal
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FULL SCORECARD
Stuart Clark strengthened his claim for a Test recall as Australia defeated Northamptonshire by 135 runs on Sunday night.
Forgotten all-rounder Andrew McDonald, who earlier made 75, was the unlikely match-winner for Australia, claiming 4-15 from 11 overs and completing a run out off his own bowling.
His heroics saw the home side collapse in the final session to be dismissed for 217, well short of the victory target of 353, with 47 balls left in the match.
But the Victorian is at long odds to overtake Clark in the pecking order.
Mitchell Johnson, in his final chance to impress selectors ahead of the third Test starting on Thursday at Edgbaston, returned the figures of 1-65 from 11.1 overs for a match return of 1-107.
Stripped of new-ball duties in this game, Johnson's most onerous task at Edgbaston could be running the drinks.
Plundered for 45 runs from his first seven overs, Johnson completed an unwanted century when reintroduced in an attempt to skittle the home side's tailenders.
He did, however, claim a consolation wicket in the form of No.9 David Lucas, who is yet to make a half-century from 56 first-class matches.
It came after he was shown disdain by the county's left-handed opening pair of Niall O'Brien and Ben Howgego.
When Johnson did not stray onto their pads, he bowled far too wide of off stump, only rarely producing a delivery which demanded caution.
He came close to removing O'Brien, Ireland's wicketkeeper-batsman, with a leg-stump half volley but the ball fell inches short of Simon Katich at square leg.
Nor was he able to prise the wicket of Howgego, a 21-year-old making only his sixth first-class appearance who, prior to this game, boasted a highest score of 36.
A dropped chance off the bowling of Clark would also have done nothing to lift his confidence, which if not at rock bottom must be mighty close to it
He could soon be put out of his misery by selectors, who watched another strong audition from Clark.
The veteran, Australia's leading wicket-taker from the 2006-07 whitewash but hitherto unseen in this series, grabbed 2-29 from nine overs and twice had Howgego put down.
In another sign he was nearing his top, Clark - Australia's best bowler in this match, even after McDonald's late burst - hurried the batsmen with his sharp bounce.
While Johnson was offering the Northants batsmen room to open their shoulders, Clark honed in on the area just outside off stump.
Wicketless with the new ball, Clark made his first breakthrough in the 24th over of the innings, finding the edge of Northamptonshire captain Rob White's bat after enticing the batsman to drive.
His extra bounce resulted in the demise of Alex Wakely, who glanced a ball which rose sharply on him down the leg-side to wicketkeeper Graham Manou.