North confident ahead of Sixers’ debut

Marcus North says he is confident of carrying his impressive Sheffield Shield form into the limited overs arena in his debut for the Sydney Sixers on Sunday.

The Shield’s leading runscorer this season, North missed the Sixers’ opening round win over Sydney Thunder last week due to illness.

But the former Test batsman has fully recovered in time for their clash with Melbourne Stars at the SCG on Sunday.

North last played Test cricket for Australian in 2009, but his efforts this summer have lifted him into contention for the tour of South Africa early next year.

The 34-year-old, who has scored 593 Shield runs at 98.83, said he was full of confidence coming into his first Big Bash League game of the summer.

“There’s no doubt that runs bring confidence and I’m really pleased with my start to the summer so far,” North told reporters on Saturday.

“I’ve played enough cricket to know that in all three forms of the game you can take that confidence across with you.

“At the end of the day it’s what you do on the night but I’m really looking forward to making my Sixers’ debut. Coming across from Perth and spending a month in Sydney playing with the Sixers wasn’t the hardest decision I have ever had to make.”

In its second weekend of its third season, North said the BBL had now emerged as a serious competition.

“I think the days of hit and giggle are gone,” he said.

“At the start maybe there was a bit of that but with the Champions League now it is all very serious and every team prepares like that. There is a lot that goes into it.

“There is a great atmosphere at all these games and for a domestic player to be able experience that is a good thing.”

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