‘I think I'm too old for England selection’

BPL has proven to be a good launchpad for quite a few England cricketers. Dawid Malan and Will Jacks are two names that come to mind. Graham Clark could be the next in line despite him not being the youngest. He has recently developed his white ball game and that's what got him a BPL contract to play for the Chittagong Kings this season. He took the tournament by storm by scoring a hundred in the Chattogram phase. The Business Standard caught up with Clark to learn more about his career, BPL experience so far, and England national team hopes in an exclusive interview.

So, to start off with, can you tell us how you got into professional cricket? Who inspired you to take up the sport?

Well, I was actually pretty much born into it. Both my parents are cricket coaches. My dad still plays now at the age of 64, and my brother is also a professional cricketer—he plays county cricket for Surrey. So, yeah, I grew up playing cricket.

Would you say they were your cricketing idols growing up? Any particular player you liked watching?

 My parents definitely inspired me because they were the ones who took me to the ground and threw balls at me while I was growing up. They helped me achieve my dream. But in terms of cricketing idols, I'd say Andrew Flintoff. I remember watching the 2005 Ashes series as a kid, and he's someone I've looked up to from an early age. He's probably one of the best ever.

That's great! Let's talk about the challenges of playing county cricket. The schedule is pretty hectic, isn't it?

Oh, definitely. The county season is tough. We play 14 first-class games, 14 T20 matches, and 8 one-day games in just a five-month period. It's always busy, constantly on the road. You have to be very comfortable with your technique and know your game inside out.

You've been playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). How has your experience been so far?

 I've really enjoyed it. The crowds have been incredible—crazy, even. The atmosphere is something else.

Have you had a chance to explore the country or try any local cuisine?

Not too much, to be honest. The schedule keeps us pretty busy, but I've enjoyed what I've experienced so far.

Tell us about the century you scored in the BPL. How did it feel, and what was the reaction from your teammates?

It was quite a surreal moment, to be honest. It's one of those things you never really expect to happen when you go out to bat. I was just focused on getting to 70 or 80, and suddenly I realised I was closing in on 100. The team was really supportive—they were all over the moon for me.

The BPL has been a good launching pad for England cricketers like Dawid Malan and Will Jacks. Do you think your performances here might get you noticed by the England selectors?

Honestly, probably not. I think I'm a little too old now, and the standard of white-ball cricket in England is really high.

How do you deal with the thought that you might not get the chance to play for England?

I think it's important to be realistic about your level. I've always wanted to play franchise cricket, and I've worked hard to prove that I have something to offer in that arena. I'm naturally very competitive, so my motivation is to perform well for every team I play for and help them win competitions.

How did you get selected for the Chattogram Kings? Was there any scouting involved, or was it through your agent?

I think I got a bit lucky. Shaun Tait, the coach, had worked with me at my county a few years ago and saw me perform back then. When he became head coach of the Chittagong Kings, I was one of the players he targeted. Thankfully, I was available for the full competition.

What challenges have you faced in your career, and what advice would you give to young players dealing with setbacks?

Probably the biggest challenge I faced was when a new coach came in and didn't rate me as a player. It was tough as there was the fear of being unemployed , but I worked hard to prove myself and eventually got back to playing all three formats for my county. My advice to young players is to stay determined, keep working hard, and never lose sight of why you love the game.

You're just over 30, so you've got plenty of time ahead of you. You've been doing well in white-ball cricket recently—maybe there's still a chance for that England call-up?

Who knows? Never say never, right? But for now, I just want to focus on performing well in every competition I play and doing my best for my team.