Mitch Marsh gave Australian selectors a scare when he momentarily left the field during the Perth Scorchers T20 clash with the Lahore Lions, before returning with a match-winning knock to remind everyone why he will likely make his Test debut this month.
The rising allrounder limped off the field after just seven overs, after appearing to injure his left knee while diving for a ball, and he didn't add to his opening spell of 2-12, despite returning to the field with five overs remaining, as the Lions were restricted to 6-124.
His impact on the game wasn't finished though, as a typically aggressive 63 not out from 38 balls guided the Scorchers to 7-130 and victory in their final group match in the lucrative Champions League competition - and in doing so ended the semi-finals hopes of the Lions.
The Lions needed to restrict the Scorchers to a total under 79 in order to qualify as the second-ranked team from Group A, a feat which looked decidedly possible when Perth were reduced to 6-40 in reply, but that hope was knocked out of the park when veteran Brad Hogg (28no off 19) smashed a six.
From there, Marsh unleashed - hitting seven fours and three sixes while displaying the sort of fearsome qualities which have allowed him to force his way into the national set-up.
In trademark fashion, the man of the match blasted consecutive sixes to close out the game in the most spectacular fashion.
The 22-year-old has reportedly been pencilled in for the allrounder's spot and No.3 in the batting lineup for Australia's two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE this month, following the calf injury which has ruled Shane Watson out of the tour.
Coach Darren Lehmann says he wants an allrounder who can bowl key overs to relieve the workload of his front-line pacemen - a role which Marsh enjoys in all forms of cricket he plays, although offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell is another option.
Australia will open the tour with a T20 fixture against Pakistan on Monday.
With the win, the Scorchers finished third in their group on eight points - two behind second-placed Chennai Super Kings, who advanced to the semi-finals.
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