Cricket great Justin Langer believes Marcus North can follow in the footsteps of Chris Rogers by earning a Test recall in his mid-30s.
North scored five centuries over 21 Tests before being dumped midway through the Ashes three years ago.
The former Warriors skipper sunk to such depths last summer that he considered quitting the game after being dropped back to club ranks.
Now 34, North is still in the early stages of re-establishing himself in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield line-up.
The elegant left-hander showed signs of his class last week when he batted through an entire day in scoring an unbeaten century to help WA fight out a draw against Victoria at the MCG.
Warriors coach Langer described that innings as the best he’d ever seen by a West Australian, and urged national selectors to consider North as part of their future Test plans.
Rogers’ own Test career appeared over when he was dumped at the age of 30 after just one appearance for Australia.
But the opener was recalled at the age of 35 for the recent Ashes series in England, where he scored 367 runs at an average of 40.8.
Rogers is now a vital part of Australia’s plans for this summer’s return bout against England, and Langer said North shouldn’t give up on his own dreams of a Test recall.
“Chris Rogers is a shining example to everyone in Australia that if you keep making runs (you can earn a recall),” Langer said.
“And that’s how it should be in Australian cricket selection. Whether you’re 16 or 36, if you’re the best player in Australia, you should be selected.
“Last week’s performance by Marcus North – it wasn’t just a good day – it was probably the best innings I’ve ever seen by a West Australian cricketer.
“And anyone who has got five Test hundreds has to be (considered). If you can open the batting, you can bat anywhere in the order.”
North will again open for WA in their Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground, starting on Wednesday.
The match will take on extra importance for Warriors paceman Mitchell Johnson and Redbacks batsman Phil Hughes, who are both aiming to earn selection for the first Test against England in Brisbane, starting November 21.
WA have been bolstered by the return of captain Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh and Johnson.
All-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile has been rested despite his limited game time during Australia’s ODI series in India, while Shaun Marsh will play for Australia A in the tour game against England.
WA squad: Adam Voges (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Marcus North, John Rogers, Will Bosisto, Mitch Marsh, Sam Whiteman, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Behrendorff, Michael Hogan, Nathan Rimmington (12th man to be named)
SA squad: Johan Botha (capt), Tom Cooper, Travis Head, Phil Hughes, Trent Lawford, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, James Munting, Elliot Opie, Sam Raphael, Chadd Sayers, Kelvin Smith, Adam Zampa (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).
josh
Roar Rookie
+1
ChrisUK
Guest
I'm not sure I've ever seen a Test batsman look more clueless against Graeme Swann than Marcus North.
davros
Guest
I think he is definitely a great talent ...there seems to be some sort of genetic degenerative hamstring issue with these guys though
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
Yeh his injuries are letting M. Marsh down. He does need to get that bat average up though...
davros
Guest
not sure mitch is ready to bowl ...probably playing as a batsman only
davros
Guest
Langers test career was over gone for all money he had one last chance at bellerieve against Pakistan....and woudnt you know it ...I think he got a double ton ?? ...for some strange reason the Pakis kept bowling short and wide ...more than likely the fix was in ,anyway from that innings Langer was able to salvge his carreer...I never pay much attention to what he has to say
Brendon the 1st
Guest
C'mon Cossie!
Manoj
Guest
I agree Ronan, Langer is a legend of the game but way off with these comments
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
His Shield career would already be over were he based in one of the stronger States
AlanKC
Guest
Which amply qualifies him to play for Australia currently ;)
AlanKC
Guest
I'm a bit torn here - would love to see Cosgrove get a big hundred and Qld engineer an outright win...
jameswm
Roar Guru
Tassie were 16 off their first 13 overs. Cossie was at one stage 2 off 35. Still - he and Silk are still in. Better to be 0/20 off 16 than 2 for 50.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Cam White's hit a few round now, 19 off 25. NSW need to break this parrtnership. Hussey next in is in ordinary form. Finch is hit and miss. They'll have tio deal with Wade though, who has been batting really well.
jameswm
Roar Guru
WA and SA XIs to be named. Sorry for hijacking the thread to follow today's games! WA likely to be (missing SMarsh only) CT Bancroft, MJ North, JW Rogers, AC Voges*, MR Marsh, SM Whiteman (w-k) AC Agar, MG Johnson, JP Behrendorff, MG Hogan, NJ Rimmington, 12th WG Bosisto, Another with keeper at 6, but Agar and Johnson are handy Shield 7s and 8s. Strong pace bowling really, Behrendorff is good and I rate Hogan. Rimmington good too. With Mitch Marsh there, maybe a pace bowler will miss out. Mitch marsh is already your 5th bowler, and I don't know that they want him batting as high as 5. Will list SA's XI when named.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Over the last two Shield seasons, North has averaged 23 and badly let down WA.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Incidentally NSW are missing Henriques and Copeland, the Vics are missing Holland and Maxwell. 2 of their three spinners, with Ahmed too.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Tassie won the toss and batting. Tassie playing (Doolan and Paine playing in the A game) Silk Cosgrove EJM Cowan, GJ Bailey*, JW Wells, BR Dunk†, CA Rose, XJ Doherty, BW Hilfenhaus, SL Rainbird, AL Fekete Bowling looking a bit weak - where is Faulkner? No Butterworth either. Qld team is (Khawaja and Cutting playing A game) NG Stevens, NJ Reardon, JA Burns, CA Lynn, PJ Forrest, JR Hopes*, CD Hartley†, CJ Gannon, CJ Boyce, LW Feldman, RJ Harris Hopes a solid first bowler, Boyce got some wickets last game. Harris didn't bowl too much but got wickets, and Marty Feldman got a bag of wickets. Gannon is in for Cutting, and Gannon's not a bad bowler at all.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Vics 2 for 28 early. Sandhu 6 overs 1 for 4m Bolly the other wicket. Quiney and Handscomb out. Rogers 9 off 36, Cam White (our future test no.3;) just came in at 4. Dave Hussey, Wade and Finch the next 3 in. Finch at 7? Wade has been batting well though. Bowling wise Vic have Siddle, Hastings, Boland and Ahmed. NSW are: DA Warner, NJ Maddinson, SO Henry, MJ Clarke*, SPD Smith, PM Nevill†, SNJ O'Keefe, GS Sandhu SA Abbott, DE Bollinger, NM Lyon, Could be an interesting opening pair to bowl to. A batsman short really, but pretty good bowling with three good quicks and two genuine spinners, with Smith, Warner and Clarke able to bowl part-timers.
Rising Power
Guest
Oh the guy who was originally brought in because he bowled a bit of left arm spin?
DJW
Guest
North was in terrible form to very recently. I thought he was lucky to keep his WA spot.