North aiming to pull Glamorgan around

By Richard Thomas

Marcus North has done his first fielding for Glamorgan, all 6.5 overs of it, but is still waiting for a first bat after his debut against Scottish Saltires was abandoned because of rain.

It was not the start former Australia batsman North wanted because he is ready to make his mark on the struggling Welsh county, who are winless six weeks into the season.

“I am not here to make up the numbers and want to make a difference,” insisted 32-year-old North who is on his sixth county. "My role as an overseas player has changed over the years. When I first had an opportunity as a player in the county system it was more of a selfish outlook.

“I would look at more what I could get out of the experience to better myself and give me the opportunity of representing Australia. Now my international career is over I have the chance to come into the system again and have an extended time with a two-year contract.

“I don’t only want to express myself with my performances, but I want to contribute to the team and make Glamorgan successful again. I want to make an impact and make a difference on this cricket club.”

North has vowed to use his experience – he has played 21 times for Australia in Tests - to galvanise Glamorgan after a difficult start to the season which has seen them lose three of their four completed County Championship matches.

“I have been coming back to this country since 1999,” he said. “The conditions don’t shock me and there are fewer more beautiful places than the UK when the sun is shining and you are playing cricket. Being an overseas player with international experience brings pressure to perform and that is not something I aim to shy away from."

On Glamorgan’s shaky form he said: “It has not been ideal. It has been a difficult start to the campaign, but there is still a lot of cricket to be played and the last thing we need to do is panic. The guys are working hard to turn things around and we aim to show to our supporters and the media we are going in the right direction.”

The Australia batsman was absent for the opening games because of the birth of his second child, while also recovering from breaking a finger.
 

Date: 14/05/2012 00:09:15 by Richard Thomas
In: Today | Glamorgan |