Selectors still look to North despite lean trot

BANGALORE: Marcus North will likely be spared the selectors' axe as Australia reel from the gut-wrenching first-Test defeat.

The No.6 batsman, who failed to score more than 10 runs for the 16th time in his 30-innings career, nevertheless retained the confidence of the selection panel because of a century in the practice match before the Test. And despite the lean trot, North's stunning form in last year's Ashes has made him a favourite for the return series next month.

''No player is safe in international cricket, you've got to perform,'' said Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors.

The panel is backing North as the best placed of any No.6 candidate to score a match-winning innings in the next game. The selection of Callum Ferguson in the one-day side means the South Australian has returned to full fitness, and if any batsman is going to pressure North it would be Ferguson, who has already identified by Hilditch and captain Ricky Ponting as a Test player in waiting.

''Nathan bowled a lot of overs in the Test, and bowled at some crucial times,'' Hilditch said.