Australian batsman Marcus North has vowed to continue working on his bowling as he looks to become more of an attacking weapon in future Test series.
Speaking on Wednesday morning in Perth after returning from England, North said he was happy to have had some influence with both bat and ball during Australia's unsuccessful Ashes campaign.
Although known more for his batting, North was called on repeatedly by skipper Ricky Ponting during the final Test as spinner Nathan Hauritz wasn't in the side and Australia's attack was found wanting on an Oval wicket that proved perfect for spin after the first day.
North responded by taking 7-131 for the Test, including a four-wicket haul during the second innings that breathed some life into Australia's attempt to win the Test and claim the Ashes on English soil.
His efforts may have ultimately proved unsuccessful as Australia failed to chase down a record 545 in its second innings, but North is still determined to improve his bowling in case he's called on again over the summers to come.
"It's a game that, especially with my bowling there is always room for improvement," North said.
"It's something that I'll continue to try and improve to make sure that I can not just play a holding role, but hopefully play an attacking role if need be."
The 30-year-old was unsure whether he'd ever be a frontline spinner for Australia but said he didn't want to let the side down.
"I'm working very hard on my bowling as much as Simon Katich and Michael Clarke is, to make sure that ... we can do a job," he said.
"There might be some wickets or some conditions where our best chance of taking 20 wickets is going to be with four quicks and maybe myself and Clarke and Katich doing a bit of spin bowling."
"But I think that comes down to the selection and conditions, where we're playing and I guess who we're playing."
Despite so much riding on the final Test, North said he hadn't felt any extra pressure when asked to step into Hauritz's shoes and bowl out an English batting line-up that had withstood Australia's pace attack.
"I felt comfortable that I could play a certain role," North said.
"Without a doubt, I don't think anyone knew the pitch was going to be that dry and turn as much."
"So it was nice to get a couple of wickets and get an opportunity to bowl for a long period of time with it turning."
"But no added pressure, I just thought I'd go out there and do the job that I felt I could do and try and do the best I could do for Ricky," he said.