North Albury paceman Brandon Purtell in doubt for preliminary final

And there's no guarantee if the Hoppers win through to Saturday week's grand final, the 25-year-old will be fit to play.

"I did it taking off to bowl and pretty much as soon as I landed, I heard it pop," he revealed of his left hamstring against Corowa.

That "popping" sound is what all sportspeople dread as it can indicate a tear in the muscle.

Purtell has another handful of sessions this week with his osteopath, but he's realistic to know it's not promising.

"There's certainly some doubt for this week," he admitted.

Purtell has claimed 22 wickets at 19 and to highlight the club's batting depth, he's only had eight innings, with six not outs, despite boasting a provincial century (110 not out against Wodonga Raiders in 2015-16).

Meanwhile, North's Anthony Hartshorn has revealed the impact of late season recruit Matt Condon.

The former ACT captain and opening batsman played his first game on January 23 and has clocked up 237 runs at 34, including a top-scoring 54 in the semi-final against Corowa.

"Since 'Condo's' come on board, he's given a few tips on how to go about batting," Hartshorn offered.

"Rather than batting as individuals, we're trying to bat more in partnerships."

Under finals pressure, players can revert to thinking about their own game.

"He has a calming influence on the team and allows other blokes to play their natural role, rather than getting bogged down," Hartshorn suggested.

"You feel a bit taller in the rooms, he's a genuine match-winner."

The 25-year-old did play and miss a number of times against Corowa, lunging at the ball a la former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, but because he's a consistent boundary hitter, the team is never out of a game.

North ended Corowa's season with 20 balls to spare, but it was tighter in Saturday's qualifying final win over Belvoir.

Chasing an impressive 188, North passed the target with two wickets and four balls to spare.

It highlighted North's ability to succeed under pressure, but it was also an outstanding effort by the Eagles.

Belvoir hadn't won a game in the final seven rounds, but with opener Nat Sariman showing tremendous maturity in striking 72, the club was so close to ending the Hoppers' five-match winning streak.

Ironically, Belvoir was the last team to beat North on January 23.

And ex-New City batsman Tarisai Musakanda is back in the Zimbabwean Test team.

The classy right-hander hadn't played a Test in almost four years until recalled for the series against Afghanistan, which finished in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

An inspired Rashid Khan levelled the two-game series.

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Musakanda struck his highest score of 41 and posted 15 in the second, but was leg before to leg-spin magician Khan both times.

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