Clark watches McGrath's back catalogue

Stuart Clark has closely examined footage of Glenn McGrath bowling in the Caribbean to help find the secret of mastering West Indian wickets.

Clark, whose metronomic pace bowling has long been compared to that of retired great McGrath, was unable to speak to his former teammate and mentor before arriving in Jamaica for the start of Australia's cricket tour this week.

But the 32-year-old said he had instead reviewed McGrath's impressive back catalogue of Windies tours to try to glean an insight into how he should approach the upcoming three-Test series.

"He obviously found the key over here," said Clark, who was part of the World Cup squad in the Caribbean last year but played just one game against Ireland.

"I haven't talked to him, he was in India (for the Indian Premier League) but from the footage and the vision we have looked at he was successful by keeping it pretty simple and being consistent and patient on these wickets."

McGrath announced himself as Australia's pace-bowling spearhead on his first tour to the West Indies in 1995 after stepping up in the absence of an injured Craig McDermott to play a leading role in Australia's historic 2-1 series victory.

He took six five-wicket hauls in just 10 Tests in the Caribbean, snaring a total of 50 scalps at 20.70.

McGrath also had to contend with the blazing blades of Brian Lara and Richie Richardson, but while the Windies batting line-up may seem far less imposing post-Lara, Clark said Australia could not underestimate the likes of Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

"I think they'll be tough opposition, especially at home," said Clark.

"They've got some really good players. Shivnarine Chanderpaul went seven Test innings in a row recently scoring 50 in every innings, and they've got some dynamic players in Gayle and (allrounder Dwayne) Bravo.

"For me, the plan will be to tie them down.

"They like to score runs quickly, that's the way they like to play their cricket, so I suppose I have to try and go against that and try to keep it nice and calm and force them to make the errors."

One of the few Australian Test players not to feature in the IPL, Clark was anxiously awaiting a return to the bowling crease in Friday's opening tour match against a Jamaica XI at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch arrived in Kingston on Wednesday to discuss team selections for the three-day match, Australia's only hit out before the first Test starting Thursday next week.

Australia are expected to field close to their best XI with most interest likely be on the performances of NSW batsman Simon Katich and Queensland all-rounder Ashley Noffke, who are both believed to be challenging for Michael Clarke's spot in the Test team.

Clarke is highly unlikely to play in the first Test with the vice-captain still in Australia supporting fiancee Lara Bingle following the death of her father.

The Jamaica XI will be captained by opening batsman Brenton Parchment, who has been in camp with the West Indian squad in Antigua this week and may come into consideration for the first Test should skipper Gayle fail to fully recover from a groin injury.

He was one of three players in the side with Test experience. Wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh and batsman Xavier Marshall are the other two.

Teams:

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Mike Hussey (v-c), Doug Bollinger, Beau Casson, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Ashley Noffke, Andrew Symonds.

Jamaica XI (from): Brenton Parchment (capt), Xavier Marshall, Simon Jackson, Shawn Findlay, Lorenzo Ingram, Carlton Baugh, Donovan Sinclair, Shacoya Thomas, Nikita Miller, Andre Dwyer, Gavin Wallace, Andre Russell, Neive McNally.