Australia were dealt a blow ahead of the first Test against South Africa at the WACA after pace bowler Stuart Clark was ruled out with an elbow injury.

Clark will fly home to Sydney to have the injury assessed and if an operation is required his summer may very well be over.

Victoria bowler Peter Siddle, who made his debut against India in Mohali when Clark was sidelined with the same problem, has been recalled to the Australian squad and will now battle it out with all-rounder Shane Watson for a spot in the final XI to face the Proteas on Wednesday.

"I don't think it's a secret that I've had a bad elbow for a while," Clark told Cricinfo after withdrawing from the squad in Perth.

"It's flared up. It's not acceptable to play. I had bowl on Friday and it was pretty sore but I had to come here and try it."

The star seamer added: "I think it's a throwing issue that has just got worse over time.

"It's something that hasn't affected me until recently, until I suppose the Indian series. I've got to go back to Sydney or Melbourne and get the [surgery] process rolling. I hope there's another scenario but I don't really know."

The loss of Clark is a major blow for the hosts with the WACA pitch conducive to pace and bounce.


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