John Hastings would be surprised if Aaron Finch is left out of Australia's XI for their World Twenty20 opener against New Zealand.
But Hastings acknowledges it's going to be a tough call on whoever is squeezed out of a potent top order.
Finch, Shane Watson and Usman Khawaja are battling for two spots at the top of the order on Friday, when Australia's World T20 campaign starts in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala.
David Warner was demoted to No.4 during the recent T20 series in South Africa.
Coach Darren Lehmann and captain Steve Smith have both suggested Warner could shift back up the order in the World T20 but it's not expected to happen in the trans-Tasman clash.
It means one of Finch, Watson and Khawaja will miss out.
Hastings noted Finch, the top-ranked batsman on the International Cricket Council's T20 rankings, had a few things in his favour.
"I would be (surprised if he missed out)," Hastings said.
"He's got an unbelievable record having been previous captain as well. Not that that matters, but just that experience he brings to the table.
"Played a lot in India, done really well. His record is as good as anyone in the world so I'd hope that he would (play).
"But in saying that, who do you leave out? Everyone has done well at times over that period in South Africa."
The allrounder suggested Watson and Khawaja also had compelling cases.
"It's going to be a tough one ... I'd hate to be a selector," Hastings said.
"Uzzy is in the form of his life as well. Watto is hitting the ball very well, everyone is hitting the ball well."
The upside to the conundrum facing Lehmann and on-duty selector Mark Waugh is that it's a sign of some serious batting depth.
Hastings was listed to bat at No.10 in two of the games against the Proteas earlier this month.
"It would have been a while (since he batted that low). I can't even remember," he said.
"(No.11 batsman Adam) Zampa is a really good batter as well. I've seen him some score some really important knocks.
"Our biggest strength going into it will be our batting depth and how much we have. Hopefully we can all bring it together."
Hastings is one of few members of the Australian pace attack that can feel confident about their place in the side.
The 30-year-old played all three games during the T20 series in South Africa, suggesting he is at the forefront of selectors' thoughts.
Hastings is also relishing the responsibility of bowling at the end of the opposition's innings.
"When you're hesitant and you're thinking 'oh, no there's 20 runs off the last over here can someone else bowl', I think that's when you get in trouble," he said.
"You want to commit to it and you want to be that person who wins the game for your team."
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