Ashes 09: North finds touch

Australia has looked narcoleptic at times during this match.

But some cool shit has happened to the players who are awake.

Michael Hussey came back from the wilderness.

Brett Lee proved earnestness can produce wickets.

And now Marcus North, their major form worry, has made a calm hundred.

Sure Phillip Hughes can’t play short or full balls. And Nathan Hauritz would be more use cutting the oranges or holding the bags. But having three players find form in one match is pretty handy.

North’s innings wasn’t orgasmic, but he never really looked like going out, and when he is at his best that is generally how North bats.

He is what commentators like to call an organised batsmen, he files runs and plans his innings.

There is nothing wrong with it; Australia still has Ponting, Hughes, Clarke, Haddin and Johnson to produce the crowd-pleasing match-stealing performances.

North just needs to keep meeting his deadlines and hoping the boss’s son (Watson) doesn’t get his job.

Visit Jarrod over at cricket with balls.