Kent have confirmed Australian Stuart Clark as their overseas player for the first six weeks of the new season which begins next month.

The 33-year-old from New South Wales, who has played for both Middlesex and Hampshire in the past, will be available until the start of the Twenty20 competition in late May.

Clark, who has played 22 tests and 36 one-day internationals, is recovering from an operation to cure an elbow problem, but seems certain to be part of Australia's squad who start the defence of the Ashes against England in Cardiff in July.

Kent coach Simon Willis, who has worked with Clark in the past, is delighted to get him.

He said: "Stuart is very keen to get here and play some hard cricket.

"Our remit was to go for quality, and even though it was a long drawn out process we finally found someone who fits into that category. He will lead our attack and is a leader."

• Audio: Andrew Gidley talks to Simon Willis about sealing the Clark deal >>>

Willis added: "He was always one of our top targets, with a couple of Pakistan bowlers which we considered, but once he wasn't selected in the one-day side to play South Africa he was our number one."

Clark is expected to arrive in mid-April and is due make his debut in the opening County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Canterbury starting on Tuesday, April 21.