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Michael Klinger’s timing with the blade is sublime. Unfortunately, his timing of performances is not.
The 33-year-old is one of several veterans, along with David Hussey, George Bailey and Adam Voges, who would have been strong contenders for the recent Ashes tour had they acquitted themselves well last Shield season.
Instead, that quartet all laboured and the selectors instead chose the far less experienced, but better-performed Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith.
Klinger manifestly was on the radar of the selectors, having batted at first drop for Australia A on their tour to England last year.
He repaid their faith by registering 137 runs at an average of 68 in the two unofficial Tests against the England Lions.
The South Australian was well poised to earn a baggy green when the next opening arrived in the Aussie batting line-up.
Then last summer, batting legends Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey retired in quick succession, robbing Australia of not just talent but crucial experience and leadership.
It was a scenario tailor made for Klinger, a former captain of the Redbacks who had plundered 3270 runs at an average of 51 in the previous four Shield seasons.
But Klinger stumbled, enduring the worst season of his Shield career en route to averaging just 19 in nine matches.
The combative right hander must have been anguished by that missed opportunity.
Rather than let it curtail his career, he went to England to play county cricket and reminded the selectors of his gifts.
Turning out for Gloucestershire in the division two competition, Klinger reaped 1105 runs at an average of 53, including four centuries.
He has continued that resurgence of form early in the Australian domestic season, scoring 380 runs at an average of 76 in the Ryobi Cup.
Klinger should have been buoyed by the Ashes selection of Chris Rogers who is three years his elder.
It was a sign the Australian selectors are not ignoring accomplished, older players in favour of rebuilding the side.
The number six spot in the Test team is vacant and appears likely to go to whoever lights up the Shield most prominently in the first few rounds.
Meanwhile, David Warner’s grip on his opening spot is somewhat tenuous after woeful Test form intersected with off-field misdemeanours in recent months.’
The cavalier stroke maker has averaged just 24 in his past seven Tests but has made a timely return to touch in the Ryobi Cup with three centuries.
Stealing Warner’s position would seem to be Klinger’s only hope of making a belated Test debut.
As a dour top-order batsman, it would seem unlikely Australia would seek to convert him into a number six at this late stage of his career.
Even if Warner were to be overlooked for the first Test or lose his place during the series, the selectors would likely choose to reinstate one of Hughes or Ed Cowan to the top of the order.
Klinger still has a faint chance of earning a Test cap should he churn out huge scores in the early rounds of the Shield.
Had he done just that last summer he may have sneaked into the Test team by now. Timing is everything.