Seamer Stuart Clark is unlikely to play in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval despite playing a prominent role in Australia's crushing win over England at Headingley.

Clark missed out on the opening three Tests of the series as the hosts took a 1-0 lead, but was recalled for the fourth contest at the expense of spinner Nathan Hauritz.

The Australian media criticised the selectors for not picking Clark sooner, but national selector Andrew Hilditch insisted that Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle deserved to be ahead of the 33-year-old.

"Although they've probably taken a bit of time to hit their straps, the reality is all three are now the leading wicket-takers in the Ashes, so I think all those selections have been absolutely spot-on," Hilditch told reporters in Australia.

"Stuart Clark got the nod and he did a good job but the other three bowled exceptionally well as well and took more wickets.

"So I think we go into the final Test with those three fast bowlers as our leading bowlers at the moment."

With The Oval expected to provide some turn during the Ashes decider next week, Australia's selectors must now choose between Clark and Hauritz.

Brett Lee will also enter the equation having recovered from injury but is unlikely to figure. Hauritz seems the most likely man to be picked as Australia's fourth frontline bowler but Hilditch is giving nothing away.

"I've got to say from a selection point of view I've been thrilled with the Ashes, I think it's gone particularly well," he said.

"Every decision's been tough because we did have a strong squad we thought coming over from South Africa.

"We were disappointed in Cardiff. If we'd won in Cardiff, which we obviously should have, the whole series would have been very different, so we've taken a while to come back from that.

"The Oval will be a tough Test. We're going to have tough selections. Stuart Clark played well, Brett Lee's going to be fully fit and ready to go, so it's a good position to be in, but it's not going to be an easy decision."