23 Feb 2009

North says he's no certainty to make test debut

5:35 am on 23 February 2009

Marcus North says he's no certainty to make his Australian Test cricket debut despite a brilliant all-round performance in the drawn practice match in Potchefstroom.

The Western Australia captain took a career-best 6 for 69 with his off-spinners in the South Africa President's Eleven second innings and made two unbeaten half-centuries.

Australia declared their second innings closed at the start of the final day of the three-day game at 360 for 4 before North bowled the home side out for 182 in their second innings.

Chasing 226 from 49 overs, Australia scored 171 for 2 from 40.4 overs before the captains called the game off early.

Afterwards North says he's certainly no guarantee of playing.

The first test against South Africa starts on Thursday.