Veteran batsman Adam Voges concedes he's unlikely to win back his Test spot, but he hasn't given up hope of guiding Western Australia to Sheffield Shield glory this summer.
Voges missed the recent day-night Test win over South Africa after copping a sickening blow to the head, but he was set to be dropped from the Australian team anyway following his lean start to the series.
The 37-year-old has since overcome the concussion, and will line up in WA's day-night Shield clash with Queensland at the WACA Ground, starting on Monday.
But even if he does score a pile of runs in that match, Voges knows he faces an uphill battle to earn selection for the three-Test series against Pakistan.
"I think it's going to be tough, to be honest," Voges said of his chances of winning back his Test spot.
"I always felt that at my age if I missed any games through injury or form, getting my spot back was always going to be tough.
"It is what it is. I'm just looking forward to playing for WA on Monday."
If Voges doesn't play another match for Australia, he will end his 20-Test career with a remarkable average of 61.87.
At one point, his average sat above 100, with some teammates even dubbing him "The Don".
Voges sent a major scare around Australian cricket circles when he copped a sickening blow to the head from a Cameron Stevenson bouncer on November 17.
It brought back memories of Phillip Hughes' tragic death two years ago.
Voges suffered headaches for days after copping the delivery, but he made a successful return to cricket last weekend when he cracked an unbeaten 142 in grade ranks.
"It was a pretty rough week straight after the knock. But I've felt good for a week, week and a half now," Voges said.
"I've done a lot of training, faced a lot of balls in the nets.
"It was nice to spend some time out in the middle, and I got through no problems, no symptoms from the knock."
WA sit last on the Shield table following four outright losses.
But Voges hasn't given up hope of turning the season around.
And with his Test career all but over, Voges can now put his full focus into guiding WA out of their current mire.
"It's been a tough start. It's a real focus of mine now to help the guys get a win on the board and get the season back on track," Voges said.
"With the way the ladder's positioned, we're two wins off second spot. While it hasn't been an ideal start, it's not all doom and gloom."
