Tougher North in good shape for Pakistan series

Marcus North feels stronger after his Test career survived a near-death experience in New Zealand and hopes to display that extra confidence in the two matches against Pakistan. North left for the neutral series in England on Tuesday and will be the No. 6 in a side that will have to be re-jigged to cope without the injured Nathan Hauritz.

But North knows he wouldn't be in the squad if he hadn't scored an unbeaten 112 and 90 against New Zealand in March, contributions which followed a desperate home campaign of 207 runs in six Tests. "It was a pretty defining couple of innings for my career," he told AAP. "I was struggling a little bit there no doubt.

"I'm glad the faith was shown there by the selectors and Ricky Ponting and the management to give me that opportunity. To go over there under a lot of pressure and perform was pretty rewarding and hopefully I can take that experience into my career from this day onwards."

In the nets before that series Ponting noticed North's eyes weren't level and it took five balls to correct the damaging flaw. "It's funny how little things can cause major problems," he said.

Steven Smith is expected to come into the side for Hauritz for the opening Test against Pakistan at Lord's from July 13. However, Australia's immediate task is to hit back after losing the opening three matches of the one-day series against England.

"I wouldn't think we would read too much into the one-day series leading into [the series with] Pakistan or the Ashes later this year," North said. "Australia have come across an England side that's been playing a lot of cricket and probably playing the best one-day cricket they've played for a while."