Sydney, June 21(ANI): Australian cricketer Marcus North, who scored a century on debut against South Africa, during Australia’s tour of South Africa in February this year, has expressed his views on how he conquered territories which once seemed impossible.

“I had a very laid-back attitude coming out of junior cricket. I’d been successful with the Australia under-19s and at the Cricket Academy and I felt bulletproof,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted North, as saying.

“I was definitely a long way ahead of myself back then. The fact was that I was just beginning and had a whole lot to learn. It took a while to realise that, and I held myself back because of it,” North said.

In 2002, the Australian team was unbeatable, impregnable, and the queue to get in the squad was becoming longer.

North’s Western Australia captain Justin Langer helped him out at that situation by providing him some good advice.”He said I had to have a much better attitude to working hard. It was about the whole lot - physical and mental work - I needed to lift and be consistent. I had to improve technically and spend many more hours training,” North said.

It was a wake-up call for North, which demonstrated him of what was required to become a successful cricketer.

Despite Langer’s advice things were not that positive in his life, as he enjoyed success in bits and pieces. The highlight of which was a domestic record third-wicket partnership with Chris Rogers of 459 against Victoria in October 2006, where North scored 239 not out.

Two years ago, when Langer stood down, North was appointed captain of WA. However, just as the impossible began to again look inevitable, North was struck by a knee injury that kept him out for months.

“I missed the Australia A tour that year and I thought that if I didn’t have a big season the next year the whole idea of playing for Australia would really be gone,” he said.

“Thankfully I got back onto the field and did well in county cricket in England and got selected for an A tour to India in the pre-season of last year. I haven’t looked back since,” he added.

North scored 117 on Test debut against South Africa at Johannesburg on February 5. Australia’s 409th Test player became the first West Australian and 18th Australian to score a century on debut, and the first to do so against SA. (ANI)