Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has cautioned against any rush to get an all-rounder into the Test team, following the remarkable performances of Ashton Agar and Michael Neser in this week's Sheffield Shield games.
Agar and Neser both registered the rare double of scoring a century and taking a five-wicket haul in the same match, the first time it has occurred in Shield cricket in a decade.
With memories still fresh of extraordinary Ashes performances from the likes of Ben Stokes and Andrew Flintoff, Australia has been searching for an all-rounder since Shane Watson played the last of his 59 Tests in 2015.
Mitchell Marsh would likely have been the front-runner, although a serious ankle injury at the Indian Premier League has derailed his chances in the short-term, while rising star Cameron Green is not bowling in Shield matches as he manages a back issue.
The desire to get a player into the Test side who can bat at number six and bowl 10-15 overs a day has seen both Agar and Neser jump into calculations following their performances this week.
But Taylor, who captained Australia from 1994-1999, isn't sure either player has shown enough with the bat just yet.
"That's where the problem lies, because I don't believe at this stage that either Agar or Neser are top six batsmen," Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
"I've always said you've got to make the team on one of the disciplines alone.
"What you don't want is an all-rounder at six who isn't quite up to it as a batsman, because then you've got Tim Paine at seven and the bowlers. In that situation, you're relying very heavily on your top five."
Any excitement over Agar's performance with the ball this week is tempered by a look at his Shield numbers over the last two seasons, where his six matches resulted in a total haul of just four wickets at the unflattering average of 119.25.
Indeed, his career first class batting average of 29, and a bowling average of 41, suggests the 27-year-old is still some way short of all-round status.
"Ashton has to show the selectors that he can take wickets consistently," Taylor remarked.
"He doesn't need to take five every time, but he's got to show that on good pitches he can do a job, pick up two to three wickets when there's not much turn and only go for maybe three runs an over. And then when it spins, you've got to show you can bowl Australia to victory on the final day.
"That's the challenge for Agar, to show that he can do those two jobs."
Regardless of past struggles, Agar's success this week is perfectly timed, given Australia doesn't have a stand-out backup, or successor, to Nathan Lyon.
At present Marnus Labuschagne almost holds that role by default, the batsman's part-time leg-spinners so far yielding 12 Test wickets at 38.
Lyon turns 33 next month, and while there's no indication that he's considering giving the game away, Taylor believes the issue of a back-up spinning option will be of concern to selectors.
"Absolutely it's an issue," he said.
"You don't really know what Nathan is thinking. He could play another five years, or he might decide after the Ashes in 18 months that that will do him, and all of a sudden you're looking for a new spinner. Only Nathan knows that.
"So, Australia has to find someone to replace him in the long term, but also to support him in the short term, particularly in places like India. A second spinner would be gold for Australia."
Neser's situation is probably more straightforward than Agar's. Already a fringe member of the squad, he's perfectly positioned as next in line after the Big Four – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood or James Pattinson should Australia need a specialist fast bowler.
"He's doing an excellent job, he's doing everything you can possibly do as a player on the verge of being picked," Taylor explained.
"He's telling the selectors that he's ready to be picked. He's no doubt grown in confidence, because it seems to me his game has gone up a level. That probably comes from knowing he's close to selection and going on a few tours.
"He probably now believes he can play at that level. You're never really sure until you make that step, but it all comes down to belief, and I think he know believes he can compete at Test level."
Fitness permitting, Australia's 12-man squad for the first Test against India this summer almost picks itself, leaving no room for either Agar or Neser. But with an expanded squad likely to be named to deal with COVID-19 hubs, both players have ensured they're at the front of the selectors' minds.
"There's no doubt that the timing is pretty good, right at the start of the summer," Taylor said.
"Right now the Australian Test team is pretty settled, probably the most settled it's been for some time.
"But having said that, given what's happened around the world this year, things can change very quickly. There's already talk about bigger squads, so what you want to be doing is exactly what Neser and Agar have done.
"Put your name up in lights now, to tell the selectors that you're worth putting in the hub, and ready to go if required."
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