On Sunday, in the opening round two-wicket loss to the Canterbury Kings, the right-hander scored an unbeaten 70 in just his third List A game at No 7, averaging 48.50 at a strike rate of 131.08.
"I didn't think too much of it until someone text me today to say it was my highest score.
"The way my batting is going at the moment, you know, coming into the season I knew I wouldn't be bowling so I'd have to make the most of the time in the middle with the bat so, yeah, I'm really happy."
Few are aware that Clarkson is a pretty sharp right-arm medium pacer. Some who do know that feel he's a batter bowler than a batsman.
However, two stress fractures on his lower back have put any bowling aspirations on hold.
"I'm getting surgery, hopefully, in March after the white-ball campaign is done so, hopefully, I'll be up and running next season."
The Christchurch-born cricketer suspects his back ailment is a combination of poor technique in delivery as well as growing pains.
"I'm still getting used to my body and learning these different movements that I've never done before so it's probably a matter of spending a little more time at the gym and getting stronger."
With age, he contends his body will mature and things should fall into place.
However, his front-foot action on delivery angles across, causing stress on the left side of his hip and back.
"It'll be interesting to see, after my surgery and the rehab, how my action will turn out."
Clarkson, who has been based in Napier in the past two months, has a burning desire to keep both aspects of his game on the front burner.
"I don't to give up bowling because it's pretty rare to be an allrounder because there aren't too many of them in New Zealand so it definitely gives you more opportunities, especially if you can do both things pretty well."
The Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay player believes keeping things simple has been the catalyst to his balmy summer.
"I've been taking at least six to 10 balls to get myself in to build a strong base before trying to hit a few boundaries, I guess."
He doesn't envisage changing much from the T20 mindset to the one-dayers.
"There's no point in changing something that seems to be working."
Clarkson subscribes to a portfolio that demands he take the team to a decent total.
"It's a shame the boys didn't get over the line but I'm happy pretty with my batting."
Gravitating to Napier is a career move that will keep him in touch with the coaching staff and medical support crew, especially after surgery for recovery.
No doubt, the Stags will up for it against the Firebirds tomorrow after losing the T20 crown to them.
"We're a young side and we have some very exciting players in our team so, in the future, we're something to look out for."
Celebrating birthdays is never a dull moment for a bloke who has been on the road for the most part of his life playing cricket.
Saturday in Hamilton will be no different after they face ND Knights.
CD STAGS: Ben Smith, George Worker, William Young (c), Jesse Ryder, Tom Bruce, Joshua Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Ben Wheeler, Marty Kain, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner, Navin Patel.
