Steve Smith turned the spotlight back on Marcus North's Test spot with his pulsating knock of 77 in the second Test against Pakistan in Headingley.
The 21-year-old's stunning display of shot making in Leeds from No.8 could not have come at a worse time for the West Australian.
After buying himself time with a century and 90 in New Zealand, North's numbers of 36 at nine against Pakistan have raised further questions about his status in the side.
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With Australia in a hole on Friday when he came to the crease, it was not the time for North to register a duck, chopping on against impressive Pakistan quick Mohammad Aamer.
And with Nathan Hauritz still very much the national side's No.1 spinner, Smith does not have a spot in the side when the off-spinner returns from his foot injury.
Smith's knock at Headingley was the sort of innings that sticks in the mind and Australia need to nail down their batting order before the Ashes.
The other options at No.6 on the Australian selection panel's radar appear to be Usman Khawaja, George Bailey and at a stretch, maybe Cameron White.
But two-Test player Smith could keep them all at bay if the selectors shaft North, who turns 31 on Wednesday.
Australia next have a two-match Test series in India in October and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, fitness permitting, could possibly bat at No.6 with Smith one below him.
That would allow Australia to pick three specialist seamers and two spinners in Smith and Hauritz for the subcontinental conditions - a place where it can be very difficult to capture 20 wickets.
Smith started relatively sedately on day three in Leeds as Australia tried to set Pakistan a decent total, only hitting one boundary in his first 52 balls before exploding to life to smack another eight boundaries and two sixes.
Batting with the tail, Smith unleashed his attacking game and thoroughly messed up the rhythm of the fine Pakistani attack with his combination of pre-meditated shots and solid defence.
Especially Danish Kaneria - the legspinner had dismissed the nervous debutant at Lord's with arm balls in both innings of the first Test.
Smith showed the charismatic tweaker what a stunning striker of the ball he is by launching him for two consecutive massive sixes into the Football Ground stand.
The second was so big that all that the cheeky Kaneria could do was watch as the ball rolled back into the gutter at the top of the stand.
Smith was modest about his batting post-play but fortunately for Australia there was nothing timid about him at the crease on Friday.
"I guess I came out against him a bit more positive today and tried to hit down the ground a bit more," Smith said.
"I was lucky enough to hit a few over the fence which was good.
"I was pretty happy with the way I handled Danish today."
Pakistan are set to end their 15-year drought against Australia in Tests when play resumes on Saturday.
In pursuit of 180 to win, they are 3-140 with Azhar Ali (47no) and Umar Akmal (2no) unbeaten.
