North may make Oz squad for Kiwi tour

Hobart (Tasmania, Australia), Jan.17 (ANI): West Australian all-rounder Marcus North may not have put his hand up in the Bellerive Oval Test against Pakistan, as also in the previous two Tests, but may still gain a trip to New Zealand.

North has just 41 runs from three Tests against Pakistan at 10.25 and 207 runs this summer at 23 - figures that could end his Test career when the selectors meet next month to name Australia's next touring squad.

Before this Test, selection boss Andrew Hilditch made it clear the Hobart clash was not make-or-break for North.

North's Test average has dropped from 56.56 to 36.70 in five months and while he has three Test tons, he has also posted nine single-figure scores in 21 Test innings.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting yesterday said it would be premature to suggest North had played his final Test.

"It was a horrible time for him to come out and bat today with the situation of the game and where it was heading," he said.

"I thought he looked very good today, he hit everything in the middle when I was out there ... that will be taken into account for sure." (ANI)