Australian coach Darren Lehmann says Matthew Wade has answered his critics, but he remains one of several players with plenty to prove ahead of the summer Ashes series.
Wade came under pressure ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong, with Lehmann refusing to rule out handing the wicketkeeping gloves to part-timer Peter Handscomb.
The selectors instead axed top-order batsman Usman Khawaja, who managed just two runs in the first Test in Dhaka after an eight-month absence from national duties.
Wade helped his cause with a strong keeping first-innings performance in Chittagong, capped by the brilliant stumping of Shabbir Rahman shortly before stumps on day one.
But his poor batting record could yet cost him his position, having averaged just 21 since being recalled last summer.
The main threat to Wade's position for the Ashes looks certain to come from Peter Nevill, the man he replaced almost a year ago in the Test side.
Lehmann acknowledged it would be difficult to justify handing the gloves to Handscomb after he survived a bout of heat-related illness on Tuesday to score a gutsy unbeaten 69.
"At the end of the day, (Handscomb) is picked to bat No.4 or No.5 for Australia and we want him making runs," Lehmann said.
"I thought Matthew Wade answered his critics really well in this game - a great stumping, a couple of catches, so that was pleasing for Matthew as well."
Despite being dropped in Chittagong, Khawaja would have to be considered likely to bat at No.3 during the Ashes series considering he averages more than 63 at home.
The No.6 position remains a source of intrigue.
Glenn Maxwell retained his spot for the Bangladesh tour but had never played in a Test in Australia. Selectors might be tempted to go with an allrounder who can play as an extra seamer.
That would open the door for Mitch Marsh or Hilton Cartwright, having made his debut last summer. Cartwright will bat at No.6 in Chittagong after replacing Khawaja.
"Cartwright is probably in their minds," former great Ian Chappell told a Cricket Australia podcast in July.
"At this stage, Mitchell Marsh has got to do a lot to recover that position ... (from) what I've seen so far, he's not a No.6 Test batsman."
