Oz pacer Clark says he plans to play on till 2013

Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark believes that he still has about three to four years of cricket left in him, and has dismissed claims thathe is a spent force at the international level.

Outlining his plans to play Test cricket until 2013, Clark, who has recovered from elbow surgery, took the most significant step in his bid to tour South Africa when he turned out for grade side Sydney University against Sutherland on Saturday.

Clark's comeback coincided with that of Andrew Symonds, who appeared for Gold Coast Dolphins after undergoing knee surgery following the Boxing Day Test.

The pair's future at the top level has come under increasing scrutiny, with both turning 34 this year. But Clark insists retirement is not on his radar.

"I think I have at least three to four years of good cricket in me. It's just a matter of getting myself back to full fitness and getting out there," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clark, as saying.

"I believe it depends on what age you come into international cricket. If you come in when you are young, you have about eight to 10 years of good international cricket just because the travel and the number of games you play wears you down. I came in late, so I missed a lot of that wear and tear when I was younger," he added.

"I know not many fast bowlers go on beyond the age of 33 or 34 but I am going to beg to differ. I think I've still got some good cricket in me. The main concern was how bad it (his elbow) was and how long it was going to keep me out. If it was going to be a long-term thing, the critics may have been right," he said.