Not for the first time this summer, Darren Lehmann will be taking plenty of interest in the work of David Saker.
Victoria coach Saker left Peter Siddle out of his XI throughout the domestic one-day tournament in October, denying the veteran some match practice before the trans-Tasman Test series.
"It's been good for them not to play him, hasn't it? Victoria have been nice," Lehmann said at the time.
Now Saker, in his role as Melbourne Renegades mentor, will decide how much time at the crease Peter Nevill has prior to Australia's two-Test tour of New Zealand.
Nevill and Mitch Marsh's lack of batting practice has been one of few downsides to the mountain of runs scored by Australia's top order against NZ and West Indies.
Nevill's 66 was the top score for either side in the inaugural day-night Test at Adelaide Oval.
But since that fixture ended a month ago he is yet to bat in a game.
Nevill wasn't required in Australia's three digs against West Indies, while he was overlooked by the Renegades during the extended break that followed the first Test in Hobart.
Matthew Wade's upcoming ODI call-up will free up a spot in the Renegades' XI following the third Test but it is unclear where Nevill will bat in their order.
"Hopefully he gets a game with the Renegades after the Test match," Lehmann said.
"But that's their decision."
The Sheffield Shield has stopped for its mid-season break because of the Big Bash League, making the dilemma worse.
"Yeah. Pretty much," Lehmann conceded.
"But we can't control that. The Big Bash is a big tournament for CA and all the teams."
Presuming there is no top-order collapse from the hosts in Sydney, Nevill's next knock of substance will come in a Shield clash between NSW and Western Australia.
That game starts on February 3 and is being played in New Zealand - it will effectively be a tour match before the two-Test series starts in Wellington on February 12.
Lehmann had mixed feelings about the prospect of Nevill going through a three-Test series without ever having to bat.
"If that's the case it means our batters are doing their job," he said.
"You'd love him to have a hit, not under pressure.
"You'd like our guys to keep making the runs they're making."
Steve Smith promoted Marsh up the order in Australia's second innings at the MCG but Nevill stayed in the pavilion.
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