Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes Marcus North's latest failure should not cost him his place in the national side as the Western Australian faces the possibility of being dumped for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
North fell for just 21 during Australia's massive tally of 8-519 declared on day two of the third Test at Bellerive and with Pakistan facing the prospect of following-on the left-hander may not get another chance to bat in this match in what is the last Test of the summer.
After being Australia's best batsman during the Ashes and scoring 79 during the first innings of the first Test of the summer against the West Indies at the Gabba, North has since struggled and has now failed to reach 25 in seven of his past eight Test innings.
In the three Test series against Pakistan, North has made just 41 runs at an average of 10.25 while over the six Tests this summer he has managed just 207 runs at 23.
And with no shortage of candidates to take his place at No.6 for the two-Test tour of New Zealand - headed by in-form Tasmanian George Bailey - North faces an anxious wait ahead of the naming of that tour party.
But Ponting had genuine sympathy for North in his latest innings after the 30-year-old arrived at the crease after the end of Ponting and Michael Clarke's 352 run stand for the fourth wicket with Australia at 4-423 and in need of quick runs ahead of the declaration.
However while keeper Brad Haddin, who was in the same situation, smashed 41 off just 34 balls, North laboured for 21 off 46 balls in 73 minutes before being dismissed cheaply again.
Ponting said he hoped the national selectors gave North another chance for the New Zealand tour, believing he remains Australia's best option at No.6.
"I hope so, it was a horrible time for him to have to come out to bat with the situation of the game and where it was heading," he said.
"When he come out he only had about an hour to bat and it was one of those situations where you haven't got a lot to gain but a lot to lose so hopefully that is taking into consideration by the selectors."