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Leeds: Australia fast bowler Stuart Clark admitted he feared he'd played his last Test after he ended a nine-month exile from international cricket with a three-wicket burst on Friday.
Clark, renowned as an economical bowler, took three wickets for 18 runs in just 10 overs as Australia bowled out England for a mere 102 on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test here at Headingley.
Peter Siddle polished off the tail on the way to a Test-best five for 21 before Australia, 1-0 down in the five-match series, ended the opening day on 196 for four - a lead of 94.
An elbow injury and the selectors' choice had kept Clark on the sidelines since the Adelaide Test against New Zealand in November and December.
Asked if he thought he might not play for Australia again, Clark told reporters: "Yeah, there were a moments. There was a lot of speculation, would I play again or could I play again?"
Clark was delighted though to be back.
"It feels really good, I got a few wickets and we're well ahead in the game," said the 33-year-old paceman, who dismissed Ian Bell, Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad.
Asked why, despite a good record against England (he took 26 wickets during the 2006/07 Ashes), he'd been left out for so long, Clark replied: "I thought I was a real good chance to play in conditions I've played in before.
"I was disappointed, but I'm a realist. I understand the selectors have a tough job as well," he added.
Meanwhile, Clark insisted there was no secret to his success against England. "I try to put as many balls as I can in the right spot. If they nick them they get caught, if they miss them they get bowled."
Siddle said he'd gained from having Clark bowl at the other end.
"It did help. Sarf came on and his first six overs went for five runs, there's always a lot of pressure on there."
He also revealed he'd spoken to Darren Pattinson, England's shock Australia-raised call-up for last year's Headingley Test.
The two seam bowlers play club cricket together in Victoria and Siddle said: "He's had a bit of success here. He gave me some good insight into how to handle the conditions."
England's start was disrupted by an early morning fire alarm at their team hotel and they then had to make a major decision in omitting Andrew Flintoff because of the all-rounder's knee injury.
As if that was not enough, they then had to seek permission to get the toss delayed after wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who eventually top-scored with an unbeaten 37, suffered a back spasm while warming up.
"It seemed to work, I had no idea. It wasn't me," joked Clark when asked about the fire alarm.
But on a more serious note he said the disruption before the toss could have proved distracting for England captain Andrew Strauss.
The left-handed opener, England's best batsman of the series so far, fell for three and Clark said: "It's tough for a captain, who has to open the batting as well. I imagine his thoughts may have been a touch scrambled."
Prior was grateful for Australia allowing the toss to be put back by 10 minutes in a move that echoed England's gesture in letting the tourists replace wicket-keeper Brad Haddin with Graham Manou after the toss in the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.
The Sussex gloveman said the extra time had been vital: "It was good of the Aussies to agree to that. I think that extra 10 minutes allowed me to play."
But Prior said the distraction over his injury and the hype surrounding Flintoff were no explanation for England's poor batting display.
"It's certainly not an excuse. We're behind the eight ball but this game turns around so quickly. There's still enough in the wicket, it's still moving around, it's still swinging. We've got four days to come back."
