Misfiring North gets selectors' backing

Australia's selectors have backed middle-order batsman Marcus North despite him making three ducks in his previous three Tests. North has scored more than 10 only thrice in 13 second innings, but the chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, indicated that he could still win a place in the Ashes squad.

''No player is safe in international cricket, you've got to perform,'' Hilditch told Sydney Morning Herald. ''What we do know is that he [North] was in excellent form in the tour game, he's scored hundreds at international level, he's scored hundreds against England. He is a very classy player. He'd be disappointed he failed, like any other player.''

North, 31, made a century in the first innings against a Board President's XI in Australia's curtain-raiser to the Indian tour, and he collected 367 runs at 52.42 in the Ashes last year. He has also been occasionally effective as an offspinner, taking a six-wicket haul against Pakistan to secure a victory at Lord's earlier this year. His place has come under increased scrutiny after he contributed only 10 runs and 1 for 47 in the gut-wrenching loss against India in Mohali.

Another player who did not perform in Mohali was offspinner Nathan Hauritz, who managed three tailenders' wickets in the match and looked ineffective on the fifth day. He too received a vote of confidence from Hilditch. ''I'm not reading too much into Nathan's performance because he took three wickets," he said. "He's been averaging about 4½ [runs an over] since he came into the Test side, and he's performed really well for us. The reality is that this was not a wicket that suited spin bowling. He's been our premier spinner for well over 12 months now; that's how we still see him"

Hauritz also has strong support from Ricky Ponting, who called the offspinner a 'lock-in' for the Ashes two months ago.