Steve Smith should replace struggling Marcus North: Former selector
January 18th, 2010 - 4:37 pm ICT by ANIHobart, Jan 18(ANI): Former Australian selector John Benaud has said that 20-year-old New South Wales leg-spinner Steve Smith should replace struggling Marcus North for the tour of New Zealand, starting next month.
Benaud is adamant that North must be sacked after a horror series against West Indies and Pakistan, allowing Australia to give Smith his first baggy green cap and blood him for the Ashes series, which is just 10 months away.
“If the selectors see Steve Smith as a potential Test player against England next year, then they should give him a chance - and a short tour of New Zealand would be a good opportunity,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Benaud, as saying.
“He has the ability to bat No. 6. At some stage, the selectors will have to find another young batsman. North is getting on in age and so is our top order, guys like Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting, so a bit of new blood wouldn’t be a bad thing with the Ashes not too far away,” he added.
North’s place in the Test squad is in doubt after he had a disastrous series against Pakistan, where he scored just 41 runs in three Tests with a top score of 21 and an average of 10.25.
Talking about North, Benaud said: “His form warrants being dropped. The danger with North is that he is out of form and you tend to hang onto these blokes hoping they will bat their way into form … when you could have blooded a younger guy and given him three or four Tests to find his feet.”
Smith was earlier called up to the Australian Test side to cover for spinner Nathan Hauritz, who was in doubt for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, but Hauritz managed to recover. (ANI)
- North's slot in danger from 'in form' White, Smith for New Zealand Test series - Mar 06, 2010
- 'Pedestrian' Hauritz should not be picked for Australia again: John Benaud - Nov 18, 2010
- North hoping selectors see 'bigger picture' to allow him further test stint - Mar 08, 2010
- 'All rounder' Watson creates flexibility at Australian selection table: Hilditch - Aug 06, 2010
- Uncapped Doherty, Smith in Oz squad in place of Hauritz for first Ashes Test - Nov 20, 2010
- Smith should be included in the Ashes squad: Chappell - May 13, 2010
- Hussey says Oz players motivated to perform due to Ashes lure - Jul 19, 2010
- 'Some Oz batsmen should get down on their hands and knees to thank selectors' - Nov 21, 2010
- Warne bats for Michael Beer's inclusion in Perth Test - Dec 08, 2010
- Smith defends Hauritz's disappointing performance in India tour - Oct 23, 2010
- Smith's knock of 77 puts spotlight back on North's place in Oz team - Jul 24, 2010
- Smith not ready to replace Hauritz as Australia's No 1 Test spinner" Muralidaran - Nov 11, 2010
- Aussies will need to make tough choices to take on India and the Poms - Sep 12, 2010
- Ponting backs senior Hauritz ahead of 'work in progress' Steve Smith - Jul 21, 2010
- Ponting predicts bright cricket future for Smith - Jul 17, 2010
Tags: 10 months, baggy green cap, batsman, blokes, boxing day, daily telegraph, disastrous series, horror series, mike hussey, nathan hauritz, new blood, new south wales, ponting, potential test, selectors, spinner, steve smith, test player, test side, test squad
