Glenn Maxwell is back at the Test cricket crossroads after Australia's two Ashes injury worries were cleared on Thursday morning.
All-rounder Maxwell had flown to Brisbane on short notice after concerns rose over the fitness of David Warner (neck) and Shaun Marsh (back) ahead of the series opener against England.
But with both players named in the Australian XI, the 29-year-old will jump straight back on a plane to link up with his Victoria teammates for their Sheffield Shield clash against NSW at North Sydney Oval, starting on Friday.
From coming so close to playing his first Test match on home soil at a packed Gabba, Maxwell will now try to find form in front of a few dozen punters at best.
He was last week overlooked for Marsh as Australia's No.6, with chief selector Trevor Hohns explaining his pre-Ashes form was simply not good enough.
"They were going to be crucial rounds for everybody and everybody knew there were positions up for grabs so it was up to them to perform and present their case to us," Hohns said.
"We just feel Shaun Marsh, in particularly if we're going down that path again, has performed much, much better and demanded to be chosen."
Maxwell did not take a wicket across the first three Shield rounds but scored two half-centuries and was 45 not out in his last innings against Tasmania.
Still, Shane Warne believed he was the man for Australia's middle order.
"Maxi wants to be known as consistent and not the X factor, but I believe being the X factor is his way forward," Warne said.
"All teams need matchwinners and make no mistake, Maxi is one of those.
"Yes, we will shake our heads and roll our eyes occasionally, but we have to accept the odd horror and enjoy his best when it comes off.
"He makes things happen in all facets of the game but needs encouragement from the leaders to express himself.
"The big occasions bring out the best in this type of player and the selectors have to show faith in his talent."
