Family affair as Clark brothers revel in maiden first-class clash
IN backyard and junior club cricket, brothers Jordan and Graham Clark know each other well but their meeting as first-class county cricketers in the T20 Blast was a new experience.
The brothers, from Cumbria, came head to head when Graham’s Durham took on Jordan’s Lancashire with the latter coming out on top in a 52-run victory.
Graham even managed to drop his brother, who finished unbeaten on three, with the younger Clark then going on to make 21 at the top of the order as Durham could muster just 140-7, with Jordan taking 3-26, in reply to Lancashire’s 192-6.
And while there was plenty of pride among the Clark family, both parents were in the stands at Chester-leStreet, Jordan revealed it was an odd feeling to come up against his best friend.
“I have only played him once before in a pre-season warm-up game in Dubai and that was a funny experience,” he said.
“We grew up playing against each other in the backyard so to play competitive for the county first teams was an experience – I wanted him to do well whilst wanting to win myself.
“We both grew up in Cumbria with my older brother Darren, who still plays amateur cricket, all three of us were best friends and spent all day playing each other, it was good fun and worked out well.
“It was good for Mum and Dad too as it kept us occupied. It was very pleasing for them to see their two kids, who they put time and effort into ferrying us round the country.
“Graham was the youngest so he got to bat last when we played in the backyard which is quite funny looking back. He was bowling all day and got two balls to bat and now he opens the batting for Durham!”
The elder Clark has enjoyed a stellar season with Lancashire so far since hitting his maiden first-class century against Surrey at the Oval in April.
He followed that up by topping the county’s batting averages with 270 runs at 90 in the One-Day Cup and taking ten wickets in six games.
And the all-rounder thinks his winter in Melbourne, playing for Newton & Chilwell, had a major impact in his development as a cricketer which is paying dividends.
“My hunger to be better is the highest it’s ever been, I am enjoying playing in this group under Glen Chapple, playing for Lancashire at this time is really enjoyable,” he said.
“I had a season in Australia where my training was down to myself, I could do as much as I wanted to. I had responsibility and I grew up a lot more in pre-season and came back with a better attitude.
“It gave me that responsibility helping the youngsters, second and third team and older guys or those just starting the game to help them along their path and it helped me with my game too.
“Every cricketer has dreams of playing the best cricket they can, (England) is definitely an aim of mine but I’ll take each day as it comes.”