Australian pace bowler Stuart Clark has surprised many pundits with his superb efforts in the Ashes campaign so far but the lanky right-armer says he is just grateful to be part of the team.
Clark, who has taken 16 wickets in the three Ashes games so far this series, wasn't part of the side that lost the Ashes in England last year but says he was just as driven to win them back for his country.
"It was disappointing to everyone to lose them in 2005 to all of Australian cricket, not just the team," Clark told Fox Sports.
"Everybody was hurting after losing the Ashes in 2005 especially since we had been dominant in world cricket for so long. And we made it out top priority to win them back, and we prepared very hard for it and lucky enough for us we have done the job this week."
"We have got them back and hopefully we can hold on to them for a bit longer."
Personally, Clark has been more than satisfied with his bowling form. His line and length have been impeccable and his ability to get the ball to move away on the seam has caused the English batsmen plenty of headaches.
In fact, since his Test debut against South Africa in March, Clark has taken 37 wickets at an average of 18.62, second only in the Australian team to Shane Warne, who has 40 at an average of 31.1.
"I can't ask for anything more, I am so happy with the way I am going personally," said Clark.
"I feel like I am contributing to the team and we are winning so I don't think I could do much better than this - if it could, I don't know what that would be."
Clark and dynamic batsman Michael Hussey have been the major changes to last year's Ashes team and both have excelled at the highest level.
"About 14 months ago Mike Hussey and I went on an Australia A tour to Pakistan and we were talking about what it would be like to play for Australia and now here we are," he said.
"Both of us have worked hard on our game to keep improving and now, but to be sitting here three-nil up in an Ashes series … just to be part of the Ashes series and to be involved in such a great couple of games."
Clark re-iterated the rest of the team's thoughts in the fact that the Australians are intent on completing a whitewash of the series.
"We are happy that we have won the Ashes but the job is not done yet and we are really looking forward to the next two games."
"Four-nil is definitely our next goal. Boxing Day is a big day for Australian cricket and we want to do well there and maybe come to Sydney looking at a clean sweep."
