STUART MacGILL has backed Marcus North to be retained for the coming Ashes series - as Australia's first-choice spinner.
For arguably the most contentious position for the opening Test at the Gabba, selectors are agonising between maligned offie Nathan Hauritz, NSW teammate Steve Smith, Tasmanian left-armer Xavier Doherty and a host of unproven candidates.
However, MacGill, who bagged 208 Test wickets with his ripping leg breaks, believes the answer could be right in front of their noses.
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''I think Nathan Hauritz has done a very good job in a variety of situations and environments over the past 12 to 24 months,'' MacGill told The Sun-Herald.
''But I've said this before the 2009 Ashes, I'm of the opinion that Marcus North can do the job that Nathan has been asked to do.
''If that's the case, then Marcus North plays and Nathan doesn't. It's a very, very tough call, but by picking a No.6 batsman who can do that job, you've got another bowler. If it's not Marcus North [in that role], then he goes, because he's not the best No.6.
North should replace Hauritz as frontline spinner - MacGill
He seems to be one of the few ex Aussie players actually calling for North and Hussey to be dropped. Really the only difference between Hauritz and North is the fact Hauritz is use to bowling the longer spells. Else as MacGill has pointed out there is little difference between what the two do. The main problem is if North isn't doing his main job which is making runs. But given hes a lock for the first test, that four man pace attack looks good to me with North as the main spinner.