worcestershire head coach kevin sharp has urged joe clarke to continue producing big scores and “keep knocking on the door” for an england spot.
clarke was not included in the squad for the first test against pakistan at lord’s which was announced on tuesday after being touted for a call-up in some parts of the media in recent days.
the england lions batsman scored back to back hundreds against surrey at the kia oval and essex at New Road to bolster his claims.
but instead the shrewsbury-born clarke will now turn his attention to the rapids royal london one-day cup campaign – beginning with saturday’s home encounter with derbyshire falcons.
sharp said: “it is scores that count and, if you make runs consistently, you get noticed.
“people notice people who make hundreds and joe’s hundreds against surrey and essex would have been noticed.
“it’s the best way of doing it and it’s a case of ‘back it up, back it up, back it up.’
“joe has backed it up twice now. do it again and again and again. keep producing and the opportunity will come.
“he hasn’t got in this time and will be disappointed because playing for his country is what he wants.
“but the best thing to do is keep knocking on the door.”
worcestershire all-rounder moeen ali was also not part of the squad after being left out of the side for the second and final test in new zealand last month.
