Full name Marcus James North

Born July 28, 1979, Pakenham, Melbourne, Victoria

Current age 29 years 347 days

Major teams Australia, Australia A, Derbyshire, Durham, Durham Cricket Board, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire, Western Australia

Nickname Snorks

Playing role Higher middle order batsman

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Height 1.86 m

After years of being consistently on the fringes of the national set-up, Marcus North's chance came when he was picked in Australia's squad for the 2008-09 tour of South Africa, and he scored a century on debut in the first Test at the Wanderers. He had impressed the selectors with his ability to prosper on difficult pitches - his accurate and increasingly effective offspin also helped his cause - and it was just reward for one of Western Australia's most reliable performers over the past six seasons. After starting with a vital 117 as Australia's batsmen struggled in the opening match, he scored another 38 runs in three innings and picked up two wickets to show his part-time bowling value. Instead of appearing in the third Test, he spent the opening day sick in hospital, but stayed for the one-day series when Adam Voges pulled out. He also went to the United Arab Emirates via Hampshire to cover for Shaun Marsh, failing twice in the matches against Pakistan, and gained a berth in the Ashes squad.

North's special talents had already been recognised by the Warriors when he was handed the state's captaincy for 2007-08, only to miss much of the season with a degenerative knee condition. It was January before he could actually take up the on-field leadership and his Pura Cup campaign was limited to 184 runs at 26.28 from four games. However, he had a strong county season with Gloucestershire and was picked for Australia A's tour of India in September 2008. Last summer he chipped in with 505 Pura Cup runs and a state-best 343 in the FR Cup.

For several years he rode an outstanding form streak, which began in 2003-04 with 984 runs in the Pura Cup and a century against Zimbabwe for Australia A. He followed with Pura Cup tallies of 826, 712 and 680 before the knee problem struck. Always a dangerous one-day player as well, North blasted 115 from 85 balls in a limited-overs game against Tasmania in 2006-07 and is a key player for the Warriors in all three formats.

A well-organised left-hander, North was afflicted by a casual attitude in his initial seasons as he made the transition from decorated youth player to senior squad member. He had significant success at under-age level, having been a member of several Academy and national junior sides and an elite scholar in 1998. He is particularly well remembered for a remarkable double of 200 and 134 at Sheikhupura during an Australian Youth team's tour of Pakistan in early 1997. His debut at first-class level came in 1998-99 on an Academy tour of Zimbabwe, and he quickly showcased his potential upon his elevation to senior interstate ranks the following season, hitting a brave 60 to help his team to a tense win over South Australia. An important top-order player for Western Australia, he times the ball exquisitely and has lightning reflexes in the field.
Cricinfo staff May 2009

Jul 7, 2009

Marcus North at Australia's practice session

© Associated Press

Jul 4, 2009

Marcus North sweeps

© PA Photos

Jul 4, 2009

Marcus North cracks one behind square

© Getty Images

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