The make-up of Australia's Test batting order could hang on performances in this week's matches against New Zealand, Prime Minister's XI captain Mike Hussey believes.
Several contenders to fill the vacancies left by the recently retired Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson will feature in Friday's day-nighter and weekend red-ball clash with the Black Caps at Canberra's Manuka Oval.
Cameron Bancroft, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja head Hussey's list of those vying for just three spots going into next month's three-Test series against the Black Caps.
While he agrees with former skipper Ricky Ponting that captain Steve Smith should bat at No.3 instead of No.4, where the others come in - he has no idea.
"We're obviously rebuilding after losing a lot of senior players, but I think it's a great time for Australian cricket and for guys who've been nipping away hoping to get an opportunity," he said on Thursday.
"A good performance here, against a high-quality international opposition, puts your name right up in front of selectors.
"I think all of those players are quality players and, given the opportunity, hopefully they can grasp it and make that position their own for years to come."
Hussey reckons selectors also have a big call to make on the bowling line-up, given Peter Siddle's standout performance in the fifth Ashes Test in England.
The veteran paceman, unable to get a start for Victoria in the one-day domestic competition in Sydney, will play in Friday's PM's XI match plus on Saturday and Sunday with the Cricket Australia XI.
"Do they keep going with him or will they go back to (Josh) Hazlewood who they used earlier on in the series?" added Hussey.
"It's going to be interesting to see which way the selectors go."
With a side full of players determined to hold their spots and a home-soil advantage, Hussey thinks Australia will be hard to beat in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
But he isn't discounting the in-form Black Caps.
"The Kiwis are very well led by Brendon McCullum, a more positive, aggressive style of play," he said.
"They've just got quality players at the moment that have got the backing of the captain of the team, and that's a very dangerous combination."
McCullum will sit out Friday's fixture, to be played with a pink ball, having missed the build-up while in London giving evidence in Chris Cairns' perjury trial.
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