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Australian left-hander batsman Marcus North has revealed that he was so nervous towards reaching his first Ashes century in the first test match at Cardiff, that he could hardly breathe.

North brought up his century in a strange manner, as he dived through the crease to complete two runs, even though he appeared in no danger of being run out.

"Leading into that I could hardly breath, I was that nervous. I guess the emotion was kind of taking over a little bit and once I hit that ball through gully, I saw there was an opportunity for two," The Courier-Mail quoted North, as saying.

"Looking back on it now, I don't know why I put the big dive in. I wasn't really looking at the ball. It was probably more panic than anything else and relief to finally get there. It is something that I will remember forever," he added.

North also highlighted that keeping the England team on the field for so long was part of the team strategy, and now it would be difficult for the tired England team to cope with the Australian bowling attack.

"We saw an opportunity there to keep them out there to put an opposition in the field for 180 overs is going to be pretty hard work for them. It was disappointing the rain came when it did but we are sitting in a good position, at the moment there is probably only one winner," North said.

"I don't think I've ever seen a cricket team that can be in the field for that long and have great body language. It does take its toll. When you take the third new ball and the bowlers are quite stiff and sore it can be hard work," he added.