Australian captain Tim Paine has suggested struggling opener David Warner is likely to keep his spot in the Test side ahead of the Australian summer.
Warner only scored 95 runs during the 2019 Ashes series in England at an average of 9.5.
While many would be dropped for such poor showings, Paine believes Warner's career-long body of work is enough to be selected for the opening Test match of the summer.
"I think he’s got enough credits in the bank," said Paine on 7 News.
"We know how good a player he is."
"Opening the batting in England can be really difficult, particularly if you're a left-hander and Stuart Broad’s bowling at you.
"That was a difficult period for David (but) the way he was around our group as a senior player was outstanding.
"It's easy to do that when you're going well but to have him still upbeat and still pushing others to get better when he was going through a rough patch himself was great to see."
Despite only averaging 26.04 during his Test career in England, Warner maintains a healthy average of 59.84 after 38 matches in Australian conditions.
With Warner likely in the frame for the opening test against Pakistan at the Gabba, the selections may have to turn their attention to his opening partner.
Neither Cameron Bancroft or Marcus Harris impressed in England, while Queensland opener Joe Burns was cut from the Ashes squad before the series began.
All three could be in contention for the spot ahead of the first test in late November, along with young opener Matthew Renshaw.
Adding his name to the mix over the past week is former Test team regular Usman Khawaja.
Although being preferred in the Australian set up as a number three batsman, Khawaja averages 96 as a Test opener.
The 32-year-old made centuries in back-to-back Marsh Cup matches against Victoria as an opener.
Khawaja made 138 in his first match facing a James Pattinson-led Bushrangers side followed by 112 in the second One-Day match, boosting his average to 125.
All contenders for the opening batsman spot will be able to distinguish themselves in the opening three rounds of Sheffield Shield action.
Khawaja, Burns and Renshaw will have a chance to prove themselves against New South Wales at the Gabba on the 10th of October.
Victorian Marcus Harris will begin his Australian red-ball campaign against South Australia at the Junction Oval next week.
