- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Under-pressure Australian batsman Marcus North has declared he’s the right man to bat at No.6 and hopes some Sheffield Shield form will help secure his Test spot for the March series in New Zealand.
After starting his Test career in flying form last year in South Africa, then backing it up with a good Ashes series and a solid start to this Australian summer against the West Indies, North only managed 41 runs in four innings against Pakistan.
The 30-year-old is confident he can turn his form around, though, in upcoming Shield matches for WA to ensure he heads to New Zealand in March.
“I think I’ve proven that (I should be the Test No.6) against South Africa and England, and showed glimpses against the West Indies, so I feel that I’m the man and that I bring good balance to the side with my bowling, even though I didn’t get much of a go at (it) this summer,” North said.
“I just want to go back to make some runs and hopefully make sure I’m on the New Zealand tour.
“I would have liked to definitely score more runs. The series against the West Indies wasn’t too bad, but Pakistan was pretty disappointing and lean for me.”
North has the support of captain Ricky Ponting and the selectors, which leaves him confident that he can turn his form around just like WA teammate Michael Hussey did after he came into the summer as the Australian batsman under the pump.
“It’s always nice to be supported publicly,” North said. “I know that I have the backing of my teammates and the skipper behind the change-room door, but for it to be said in the media is quite nice.
“The good thing is that they (the selectors) are backing me as well.
“Before the Test match I had a chat to them and they are confident, like I am, that I’m feeling good and it’s just a matter of time.
“Everyone goes through a little bit of a down time in their career and it has been my turn over the last month.
“A few friends of mine said that I’m getting a bit of stick the last couple of weeks, but Huss has had that the last 10 months. We knew that he had it in him and he always had the support from us, and he’s come through with flying colours and his career is right back where it was 12 months ago.”
Hussey’s century in Sydney came thanks to a host of missed chances from Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, while Ponting made 209 in Hobart after he was dropped.
Now North, too, would like some of that luck.
“The frustrating thing is that I’ve been feeling really good, my preparation has been good and my mindset has been exactly where I want it, I just haven’t had that luck to get through that initial period,” he said.
“Hopefully that can change in the coming weeks for WA.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.