Marcus North set to hold spot against Black Caps

Arnel in line to make debut

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Skipper Ricky Ponting says out-of-form batsman Marcus North will hold his place in the Australian side for the first test against New Zealand beginning in Wellington this morning.

Ponting says talented NSW youngster Steven Smith, who is also in the squad for the two-Test series, will just have to wait a little longer.

North has scored only 294 runs at 24.50 in Shield cricket this summer and averaged 10.25 in the recent home Test series against Pakistan.

Ponting says the 20-year-old Smith is an "exciting prospect" and a good all-round package with the bat, his leg-spin bowling and brilliant fielding.

"If you look at the last Shield game, he made a hundred and took seven wickets in the last innings," Ponting said.

"Kids who are 19 or 20 years of age find that very difficult to do.

"Whether or not he is going to play we'll wait and see. He's probably unlikely at this stage."

Ponting said he was confident North would have a big game at the Basin Reserve, where the pitch is expected to have good pace and bounce for the quick bowlers.

"There's no doubt that he's probably feeling a bit of the pressure," Ponting said.

"I've done a lot of work with him actually, one-on-one stuff the last couple of days.

"I will continue to get some work done with him and talk about his game but just what I've seen the last couple of days I am pretty confident that he will have a good Test match here."

Ponting said vice-captain Michael Clarke was in good shape mentally despite a massive disruption last week when he went home to Sydney and broke off his engagement.

Australia are sweating on the fitness of Queensland pace bowler Ryan Harris, who is set to make his debut if he can prove he has overcome a side muscle strain.

Harris trained with the squad on Thursday and Ponting is confident the new-ball bowler will be fit to play.

The 30-year-old has been in sensational form at one-day international level with 29 wickets at 15.51 in 12 matches.

- AAP