Big Bash League sensation Chris Lynn's selection in the one-day international side has shown the batsman how attainable a baggy green could be for him should he not abandon his first-class career due to injury.
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The hard-hitting Queenslander, who has not played a full season in the Sheffield Shield for four years, has the power game to make a killing as a Twenty20 gun for hire but is also a high-class red-ball player, as an average of 45 attests.
It would be a huge loss for Australian cricket if he was to give up on his Test dream to protect his livelihood in the shorter formats. The biggest name in the BBL also holds contracts in the Indian Premier League and the Twenty20 competition in the Caribbean, which makes for a full calendar once state commitments are factored in.
Fitting everything in is becoming an issue for Lynn due to a chronic shoulder injury, which he concedes will make him a weak point in the field for captain Steve Smith when he makes his one-day international debut against Pakistan.
"I can't throw the greatest but it's not giving me an issue batting," Lynn said. "In cricket you can always hide one or two blokes in the field even though there's a bit of baggage and I do feel uncomfortable with that.
"They're [selectors] happy to carry me around. Push comes to shove I'll be diving for the ball, throwing the body around and doing everything I can to contribute for Australia."
Lynn said wearing the baggy green was still his long-term goal but his next aim was to play a full season for his state.
"I have to put my numbers on the board. My numbers are OK but I haven't played the duration of matches," Lynn said.
"For me trying to punch out a full season and consistent runs is the most important thing."
Lynn said he would adopt the see ball, hit ball approach that has made David Warner one of the best players in the world game.
"The more I think about my game, the more technical side, that's where I doubt myself. I keep it very simple and that works for me and someone like David Warner," Lynn said.
"I haven't played a one-dayer yet. I want to feel comfortable in that environment, do the best I can and go from there. If I think too far ahead I'm no chance of making runs on Friday."
Lynn has been tearing apart attacks at first drop for Brisbane Heat but is unlikely to bat ahead of Warner, Usman Khawaja and Smith in the ODI side.
