Australia fast bowler Stuart Clark admits that news he would probably be snubbed by selectors at The Oval had come as a surprise.

National selection chairman Andrew Hilditch told reporters on Wednesday that Clark was still fourth-choice seamer for Australia - behind Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus - in spite of a successful recall at Headingley.

The announcement confirmed that Clark would be the one to get the chop should Australia opt to include a spinner for the deciding Test next week, but came as a surprise to the player who was yet to receive any feedback from the selectors about his showing in Leeds.

Nevertheless, Clark insists that he is not overly bothered about the way the matter has been handled.

"He probably got asked a question [and] he probably answered it, didn't realise what he'd said," Clark said of Hilditch's comments.

"Sometime in the future, when I do see Andrew again, maybe over a quiet drink we'll talk about it, but I'm really not fussed about it either way. I think you always feel like you've got something to prove. You never feel as though you can just sit there and play.

"I always feel like I've got something to prove, whether it's not to anyone else than myself, that I can keep doing it - as you get older, it gets harder."

Clark's three for 18 set Australia on their way to an innings-and-80-run victory, and maintained the 33-year-old's superb record against England.

The New South Welshman averages 18.44 against the old enemy and puts his success down to simplicity.

"I enjoy playing against England," he admitted. "I have had a little bit of success, I probably feel comfortable when I do play against them.

"I have a pretty simple plan and I try to keep it simple and it seems to be working."

Clark is, however, confident that Australia currently hold the advantage heading into the final Test at The Oval.

"I think the way we won in Headingley we probably do hold the upper hand," he told Foxsport.

The pace bowler also believes that England should be cautious of taking too much heart from the batting of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann.

"It is all well and good to make runs when there is no pressure on and I think I showed that with my batting (by hitting three sixes in a quickfire 32).

"When there is no pressure on, anyone can score runs and that seemed to happen on the last day.

"But I think the convincing way we played our cricket and the convincing way we went about it, we probably hold it (the edge)."