Australian openers battling for Test recall at SCG

Sydney, Nov 3 : A number of Australian openers battling for a Test recall will compete against each other at the SCG in the Sheffield Shield match that starts today.

The game will have New South Wales’s openers Phil Hughes and Phil Jaques fighting for a Test recall, while there''s Western Australian captain Marcus North, who will be looking to push back into the national squad.

“I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks going by and the first team being picked. I''ll just cross my fingers. There''s always pressure on you, there''s pressure on anybody. All I can control is trying to make as many runs as possible,” The Australian quoted North, as saying.

“Obviously, playing all my seven Test matches away in the hostile environments of South Africa and England it will be nice to walk out on the field with the support behind us rather than the opposition. It''s been great to play Test matches away, but it will be pretty memorable playing a few in Australia,” he added.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch have earlier talked about team’s long-term plan to bring current opener Shane Watson down the order, which could allow Hughes and Jaques to reclaim their spot at the top.

Victorian opener Chris Rogers, who played as a replacement for injured Matthew Hayden two summers ago, is also in the race after continuing his splendid form from last summer and would dearly love to have another opportunity.

--ANI