Australia's new-look batting stocks have been given a gilt-edged opportunity to prove their Test credentials this weekend as selectors look to finalise one of the most uncertain batting line-ups in nearly 30 years.
The Marsh brothers, Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns, Adam Voges and the uncapped Cam Bancroft have been named in a Cricket Australia XI to take on the touring New Zealand in a two-day match in Canberra starting Saturday. 
But six does not go into four with performances in the match likely to count for plenty when national selectors convene to name their squad for the first Test.
"Similar to the Prime Minister's XI squad, this two-day match will provide an opportunity for us to monitor a group of highly rated players ahead of the first Test at the Gabba," said chairman of selectors Rod Marsh. "Shaun, Mitch [Marsh] and Cam all are all very talented players and we're keen to see what they can produce against New Zealand."
The Black Caps' 15-man touring party was due to arrive in Australia on Tuesday night and they can strike a psychological blow in the nation's capital if they can knock over a few Test aspirants.
Not since the fallout from the rebel tours of the 1980s has there been this many places up for grabs in Australia's top six so close to the opening Test of the summer.
After the retirements of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers, only captain Steve Smith and his right-hand man David Warner can be considered locks for the first Test, although the latter needs to prove his fitness after breaking his thumb.
Warner resumed batting in the nets this week and though he is still in discomfort, he will not let that stand in his way from playing in the Sheffield Shield next week in the lead up to the Tests.
The cancelled tour to Bangladesh was to have given the next generation a chance to make the transition away from the spotlight while also providing much-needed match practice in the longer form of the game.
Clouding the picture further, the opening round of the shield competition will be in the day-night format to give players a chance to adapt to the new pink ball in preparation for the historic day-night Test next month.
This weekend's game in Canberra and a four-day match against the Kiwis next week in Sydney will be the only opportunities for Australia's stars to play the red ball before the start of the Trans-Tasman series.
There will be plenty for Marsh's panel to mull over in the next fortnight. They need to find a new opener, a first drop and a No.5.
Named in the touring party for Bangladesh, Bancroft is considered a marginal favourite to partner Warner after a strong start to the season in the domestic one-day competition. But he faces a challenge from Queensland opener Joe Burns, who has made back-to-back half centuries to keep his name in the Test frame. Burns could also be in the running for a middle-order berth.
Khawaja is in the driver's seat to fill the problematic No.3 slot should Smith decide to move back to No.4, which he foreshadowed in   August after being officially handed the reins by Cricket Australia. The elegant left-hander has been named captain for the two-day tour game.
"This is also another good leadership opportunity for Usman Khawaja. He performed well when he captained Australia A on the recent tour of India and this will allow him to build on that experience," Marsh said.
Voges was to have been Australia's vice-captain in Bangladesh but a run of outs in the Matador Cup - 50 at 12.5 - has left the veteran's position in the Test XI in question. At 36, Voges may be considered the most expendable by a selection panel looking to the future.
After playing just one Test in Australia's ill-fated Ashes campaign, Shaun Marsh has made a blistering start to the summer to be the leading run scorer in the one-day tournament. It could be a defining summer for the 32-year-old, whose opportunities in the baggy green may be limited should he not make the most of his opportunities this season.