Tim Paine may be captaining a youthful Prime Minister's XI against England on Monday, but he knows his elevation to the Australia Test side is some way off.
The wicketkeeper has been promoted to vice-captain of the Twenty20 squad but one player to emerge from the Ashes defeat with his reputation intact is Brad Haddin, the incumbent gloveman.
Paine has also been nominated as a future captain of the national side but the 26-year-old is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
"I'm very honoured to have the captaincy of the Prime Minister's XI and to be spoken about by some of the great names of Australian cricket in that fashion (of being a future Australia captain),"he said.
"I think this match probably is a bit of an audition, but as I've said in the past couple of days that's probably a long way away for me at the moment.
Fantastic
"I'm just purely concentrating on the next few weeks, getting back into cricket and whatever happens down the track happens.
"But if I can get myself into a position to play enough cricket for Australia even to be considered for that job then that would be fantastic, but as I said that's a long way off."
He is hopeful he can push his claims during the upcoming two Twenty20 and seven one-day internationals and has not given up hope of forcing his way into the World Cup squad, either as a wicketkeeper or specialist batsman.
"There's obviously going to be some opportunities coming up,"he added."It's up to me to prepare myself as well as I possibly can and if I'm lucky enough to be in that 15 for the World Cup, or something happens to Brad, or if I can play in a role as a batsman then I've got to be ready to grab it.
"Brad's still the number one keeper in all formats. He's just come off a good Ashes series himself. Any role I can get to play in the Australian team I'll grab with both hands."
Happy
Paceman Brett Lee is also poised to line up against England as he makes a last ditch attempt to earn a World Cup spot.
"I've been bowling 12 overs each match in the 45-over competition which is more overs than I could bowl in a 50-over match,"he said.
"I'm really happy with the way the ball has been coming out and have enjoying it this season. It's easier on my body not bowling five days straight.
"My pace is back to 150kph so I'm really happy with where it is at. I don't look at 34 and think I'm past it. I think there are a few good years ahead of me.
"I love it when people right you off and say you won't be back. Or a doctor says you probably won't get back.
"Ten or 12 ops later I'm still hanging in there. If the body still feels good I'll try to keep playing. I hope to be in the World Cup team and then let's see what happens."
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