MELBOURNE — Australian pace bowler Stuart Clark said yesterday he was retiring from first-class cricket after 24 Tests and 39 one-day internationals (ODI).

The 36-year-old claimed 94 Test wickets at 23,86, including 20 wickets in his first series against South Africa in 2006 and nine wickets in his Test debut in Cape Town.

He also captured 53 ODI wickets at an average of 27,86. This season Clark took on the role of general manager of the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League with the Sixers lifting the trophy in his first year in charge.

“The time is now right to step away from the playing side and concentrate on my efforts with the Sydney Sixers,” Clark said. — Reuters