A half-hour after stumps at the MCG, Cameron Bancroft sat glumly in the West Australian dressing rooms still wearing his pads.
His cheap dismissal late on Monday's third day of the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria had killed off Bancroft's immediate hopes of a Test debut.
It also gave WA the worst possible start to their second innings and they were 1-25 at stumps, still needing 365 on the last day for an improbable win.
Warriors coach Justin Langer, who had plenty of challenges in his illustrious career, had a wry smile when asked about Bancroft's twin setbacks in this match.
Bancroft was touted for his Test debut at the start of the NZ series and Usman Khawaja's hamstring injury gave him an immediate opportunity.
But he only scored four in the first innings and legspinner Fawad Ahmed trapped him lbw for six in Monday's second-last over.
Langer noted Bancroft was in the touring party for the abandoned Bangladesh tour and scored an outstanding century last week in Adelaide.
Then, right when Bancroft needed another big score, he failed twice.
"He's devastated, but this is all part of his journey and he'll be better for it," Langer said.
"He has got a (Mike) Hussey, Steve Smith work ethic. He'll be fine.
"In the short term, it's tough when you're aspiring to play for Australia. I understand that.
"He's trying so hard and, the harder you try, the worse it gets."
It is up to captain Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger - two other batsmen in contention for Khawaja's Test spot - to prove their bona fides.
They scored 50s in the first innings and are also key to WA chasing down such a big target.
"There are absolutely no demons for tomorrow on this wicket. It's a beautiful batting wicket," Langer said.
"It's a huge task, though."
Victoria declared their second innings at 7-238, with opener Rob Quiney's 79 the top score.
That came after WA were dismissed just before lunch for 272.
Ashton Agar scored 54 and had a last-wicket stand of 44 with injured allrounder Hilton Cartwright (27no), while Ahmed took 5-105.
Quiney said the nature of the flat wicket meant it was hard for a batsman to get himself out but, equally, it was hard to score freely if the bowling and fielding were effective.
He used an AFL analogy to describe what was in store on Tuesday.
"It's like the final quarter, isn't it?," he said.
"It's still game on, game in the balance, and we just want to make sure to be in front when the 'siren goes'."
Also on Monday, Victoria announced captain Matthew Wade would need surgery and be out of action for six weeks after fracturing his collarbone on Saturday while batting in the nets.
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