North's slot in danger from 'in form' White, Smith for New Zealand Test series

Sydney, Mar 6(ANI): The Australian selectors are in a dilemma over struggling batsman Marcus North, and some spectacular performances by all-rounder Cameron White and leg-spinner Steve Smith as they meet this weekend to pick the squad for the New Zealand Test series.

Several former cricketers are adamant that North must be sacked after a horror series against West Indies and Pakistan, that will allow Australia to experiment with White and Smith for the Ashes series, which is just 10 months away.

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.

Meanwhile, White has been in thumping one-day and Twenty20 batting form since the series against England last year.

He feels comfortable in the Australian team environment, and Test skipper Ricky Ponting values the tactical input of the Victorian skipper, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

At the same time, New South Wales (NSW) all-rounder Smith continues to underline his already strong case for selection by making a timely 177 against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval on Thursday.

As far as breakthrough seasons go, Smith's has been extraordinary and this was his third first-class century in just his 12th first-class match.

All three of the tons have been scored this summer, in which he has played nine Shield games for 636 runs.

Former Test off-spinner Ashley Mallett said the New Zealand tour was a perfect opportunity to blood the 20-year-old Smith.

"I thought he bowled bloody well in the recent Twenty20 series against New Zealand. He got that two-for and he looks good under pressure," Mallett said.

"He reminds me of Warnie-he's got that gleam in his eye. I like the way he spins it up and he's prepared to take a bit of a risk," he added.

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)