Glenn Maxwell came of age as a Test cricketer at Ranchi. He faced 185 deliveries in compiling 104, his maiden Test century.
It was an innings built around patience and caution rather than inventiveness and gusto.
It was a knock that some thought Maxwell was incapable of producing.
It has all but guaranteed that he will bat at number six in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba in November.
And that may prove to be a massive plus for Australia.
While Steve Smith does not seem overly enthused about utilising Maxwell’s spin bowling at present, his inclusion in the side provides an opportunity for Australia to go with a four-prong pace attack for much of the summer.
And the likely quartet has the potential to be akin to those the West Indies fielded in the 1970s and ‘80s.
If they are all fit, an attack comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson could prove devastating.
It would allow Australia to go for the jugular early in the Ashes series with the Gabba, a traditional fortress for Australia, being followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide.
Both venues will provide the home side with favourable conditions for an all-out pace assault on England’s batsmen.
Starc (148 wickets at 28.3) is one of the most destructive quicks currently going around.
While he may at times go for a few runs, he is also a regular wicket-taker, often doing so in a brace over the space of a few deliveries.
His ability to tail the ball back into right-handers at speeds approaching 150km/h makes him an ever-present threat.
The fact that he is a left-hander would add another dimension to the three right-armers.
Hazlewood is metronomic in his method. Comparisons with a young Glenn McGrath, his childhood hero, are a regular occurrence.
While he lacks the pace of the other three, it in no way diminishes his effectiveness.
His 117 wickets at 25.0 have been achieved with an economy rate of 2.8.
He can bowl sustained, miserly spells. He is forever at the batsman and his ability to nip the ball off the pitch has the slips cordon constantly on their toes.
Cummins has made a seamless return to first-class ranks.
After a stunning man-of-the-match winning debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa at Johannesburg in November 2011, a succession of injuries kept him predominantly out of red ball cricket until two weeks ago, when he played his first Sheffield Shield match since March 2011.
He returned figures of 4/57 and 4/47 against South Australia.
The plan was to continue to ease him back into first-class ranks in readiness for a Test return next summer.
After just one Shield match and a series-ending injury to Starc, Cummins was parachuted into Ranchi for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.
With the series still very much alive, the selectors deemed it an acceptable rest.
He did not disappoint, sending down 39 overs, picking up 4-106 in India’s marathon first innings.
He bowled with genuine pace and, on occasions, extracted bounce that the other quicks could not.
Pattinson, similarly to Cummins, has spent more time on the sidelines than in the middle in recent years.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand at the Gabba in December 2011, and like Cummins, picked up the man-of-the-match award ahead of being named Player of the Series.
He was accorded man-of-the-match honours in his third Test when he claimed eight wickets against India at the MCG.
Subsequent appearances were spasmodic with a series of stress fractures in his back and shin leaving him regularly sidelined.
To date, he has played 17 Tests, capturing 70 wickets at 26.1. He boasts an impressive strike rate, claiming a wicket every 47 balls.
He returned to first-class ranks last month after a lengthy lay off.
In four Sheffield Shield matches he has taken 20 wickets at 16.3, including a stunning 5-7 to bowl Victoria to victory over Queensland last weekend.
He will be back in action on Sunday, spearheading his state’s quest for the Shield title in the final against South Australia at Alice Springs.
Aside from his stunning bowling figures since returning to first-class ranks, he has also had scores of 29, 39 and 57.
He has a Test batting average of 27.7 and a first-class average of 21.7.
Cummins has also worked diligently on his batting while unable to bowl. He has a first-class average of 26.3 from his ten matches.
When you factor in Starc’s performance with the bat – a Test average of 24.8 with nine half-centuries – the trio bring more to the side than merely their bowling.
Hazlewood is also capable of holding up an end.
Often innings can be defined by the performance of the lower order. With this quartet Australia would bat very deep.
There would be a massive upside in unleashing the quartet against England next summer.
Collectively, they could do some serious psychological damage to England’s batsmen, especially at the Gabba and the Adelaide Oval, where grass is left on the pitch to accommodate the pink ball.
If needed, Smith could bowl himself or Maxwell to break up the quicks’ spells later in the innings, if required.
Both are currently under bowled at Test level.
History does not bode well regarding this pace quartet all staying fit for prolonged periods, but those waiting in the wings could easily slot in, with Jackson Bird, Jason Behrendorff and Chadd Sayers heading the list.
But if that quartet does stay fit for extended periods they could define this current era of Australian cricket.
Each has many years of quality Test cricket ahead of them – Starc (27yo), Hazlewood (26), Pattinson (26) and Cummins (23).
While they all have time on their side, the opposition won’t if they are all unleashed in the one match.
Brisbane in November would be a fine time to see it.
Don Freo
Guest
A kinder run? How do you work that out? Marsh scores 180 and is omitted for Ussie. Ussie has been picked for 23 Tests, Shaun for only 22. Selectors are simply picking on the basis of a team requirement. The only preference in favour of Marsh is in the prejudiced minds of those who won't look...or if they do look, they won't see.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
When comparing two players you have to lineup their records next to each other to decide who should be selected. Khawaja's record is far superior to Marsh's in Australia. That's not about putting Marsh down it's simply comparing the two. There is simply no other way to do it. If I had attacked Marsh as a person or suggested he had compromising photo's of the selectors or insinuated other reasons for his selection then fair enough, but I didn't. The reality is no matter which way either of us try to spin the numbers (leaving out his run of ducks or leaving out his 182 against the WI) Khawaja has a better overall test record and test record in Australia to Marsh. There is also no doubt S Marsh has been given a kinder run by selectors over the years in comparison to Khawaja. I was simply stating that given they opted for Marsh over Khawaja in India because of a horses for courses selection policy it is only reasonable to think they will be swapped back for a home summer against England. When it comes to playing the Ashes in Australia I disagree with you that they are both worthy and competent of a spot.
Don Freo
Guest
You will struggle to find something of mine to suggest I put down O'Keefe. I defend Lyon when people put Garry down to promote SOK. Just promote SOK without the attendant put down. SOK certainly doesn't ring my bell...he is just another sound Aussie player...but try quoting a put down. The nearest you'll find is my dismissal of his ability to spin the ball. He is more a flat trajectory version of Vettori. Some flight (albeit occasional), change of pace and accuracy are his tools. I concede I dismiss his batting ability which SOK fans still seem to promote as top shelf. Garry has more in his armory. Garry is "nicer".
Basil
Guest
The way you put down OKeefe?
Don Freo
Guest
34 is not a "massive struggle". Remember his run of ducks and single figure scores (almost 10 years ago) factor into that. You are still talking about a Shaun Marsh that has a different mindset to the one back then. Try considering his average over the past few seasons. Those numbers may not suit you. Having said that, if it comes down to Marsh or Khawaja against England, I'd go Khawaja. My issue with your kind of comment, Michael, is that in order to argue your preference, you need to put his challenger down. They are both worthy and both competent.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I'll take your point on Maxwell and would definitely consider keeping him for the Gabba. However Warner could score a pair this test and will still be the opener come the first Ashes test at the Gabba and I don't care if Shaun Marsh makes a double century he massively struggles for runs in Australia. He averages 34 in Test's at home and that's including the 182 he made against the grade cricket attack the West Indies served up on a road in Bellrieve. Against all other opposition in Australia he averages 25. If a horses for course approach says Khawaja doesn't get picked in India then surely the same applies even more to Marsh in Australia.
Don Freo
Guest
Davy Warner has many, many credits in the bank. He is not at risk in any way. A bit of an off suggestion re Nathan Lyon, Q.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
Absolutely
El Loco
Roar Rookie
Come off it, on what basis can you rate Cartwright better than Khawaja?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Cartwright is an absolute gun, a guy who consistently makes runs when they're most needed. He averages 52 in first-class cricket - the only other Australian players who had those kind of numbers after 21 games in the last decade were Smith and Hughes as far as I know. And Cartwright's technique is far better suited to the longest format than Hughes, who had a weird approach that was always likely to be found out after a small number of Tests. Cartwright's mediums are just a bonus, in the same way that the Waugh brothers, Bevan and Blewett offered some handy overs.
Mike
Guest
Lynn does have a good Shield record and average but he can't seriously be considered as his last Shield season was non existent due to injury. It's a great pity as skill wise he is up to Test cricket. His body is letting him down. I was at the Sydney Thunder game this past T20 season when Lynn won the game single handedly for Brisbane. The notion that he just slogged is ridiculous. He controlled the game with an awesome ease. Cummins was bowling very fast and well yet, in one over, Lynn hit him for 5 consecutive 4s. None of them was a slog. Lynn put away the attempt at hitting a 6 off Cummins and played 5 proper cricket shots in a row. Cover drives, on drives, flicks to leg. It was just awesome, quality batting and he seemed to have so much time. I honestly felt I was watching Tendulkar in his prime during that over. I'll never forget it and I doubt Cummins will either. I fear that due to injury Lynn may well be restricted to play just T20 which is great shame as he has a mid 40s Shield average and is a class batsman and person.
Craig Delaney
Guest
That got very boring, but wasn't all that common from memory.
Craig Delaney
Guest
You are right. The presence isn't there. And both Lillee and Thommo meant business whenever they had the ball.
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Lyon has a fantastic record at the Gabba - it woud be hard to leave him out of the 1st test based on past performances. Having said that if all 4 quicks are fit and in form it would be very hard to decide who misses out. Starc, Cummins and Pattenson also make for a very long batting line up as they are all really no.8's.
Don Freo
Guest
Marsh will not be in contention. Try following some cricket, Thunder Nation.
Basil
Guest
The Aussie mentality is all about fire but I can't help but feel that in a pink ball Test that Sayers swing and accuracy should make him one of the first picked.
Bee bee
Guest
The batting line up suddenly looks young, talented and well balanced. There may well be a generation of Loves, Laws, Hodges and Siddons on the horizon. Very talented batsmen that spend a career in the Shield. Maxwell would want to value his place. The chasing pack will be very hungry for a shot.
Bee bee
Guest
Yep. He is destined to be a specialist T20 slugger. Not a bad consolation though. He should pick up some big IPL contracts if he can stay fit. His BBL form is unmatched over two seasons now.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
It is a good point Vanderlay. Too often we see batsmen, in particular, have one good season and they then fall away. It would be nice to see some players emulate the likes of Law, Love, Lehmann, Siddons, Hayden, Martyn, Bevan etc and have numerous successive 800-plus run seasons.
Art Vanderlay
Guest
Good article Glenn, the thought those 4 steaming in on a greenish wicket gets the juices flowing plus Maxwell does deserve a decent run at the 6 spot. Lets see how the selectors feel about that though. As an aside after reading through the comments perhaps "The Roar" should change it's name to "The Bandwagon" given the number of jumpers touting the Turner/Cartwright line. Most of these blokes were singing Cameron Bancroft's praises a mere few months ago. Lets see if they can back this season up before proclaiming the second coming hey?