Kumar Sangakkara was tipped as the hot new crowd-pleaser for this summer's Big Bash League but so far the retired Sri Lankan Test star hasn't set the stage alight.
Although his Hobart Hurricanes side is progressing well, after four rounds the much-admired batsman can boast only modest contributions.
But ahead of Monday's clash with the lowly-placed Melbourne Renegades, Hurricanes skipper Tim Paine has defended the experienced international.
"He's played two really good innings out of four," Paine said of Sangakkara.
Opening the season with a duck against the Sydney Sixers, Sangakkara has since produced 43, 32 and then 16 during Friday night's home game against the Sydney Thunder.
"He was a bit unlucky, he was caught behind down the leg-side the other night," the skipper continued.
"If he fires, teams are going to be scared of what he can do."
Sangakkara has been batting at No.3 for Hobart and he's not the only member of the top-order who's so far failed to dig in.
Former Australian Twenty20 player Ben Dunk, who is opening for the Hurricanes, this season has added one, five, 27 and 15.
"He hasn't had the best tournament yet but as a team we're going OK," Paine said of Dunk.
"If Dunky fires, we've seen glimpses from Kumar, so probably two of our better batters, when they click, we're going to have a really formidable batting line up."
The Hurricanes, who have three wins from four matches, are the favourites going into their round five fixture, with the Renegades having won only one outing to date.
The side is coming off three successive losses including Saturday's seven-wicket demise against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.
They have made just one change to their squad with Cameron Stevenson replacing Ben McDermott.
The Hurricanes outfit is unchanged.
Squads
Hurricanes: Tim Paine (capt), Ben Dunk, George Bailey, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Simon Milenko, Sam Rainbird, Jake Reed, Clive Rose, Darren Sammy, Kumar Sangakkara, Shaun Tait, Jon Wells.
Renegades: Aaron Finch (capt), Tom Beaton, Dwayne Bravo, Tom Cooper, Xavier Doherty, Cameron Gannon, Chris Gayle, Nathan Rimmington, Matthew Short, Cameron Stevenson, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Cameron White.
