Brett Lee's lack of first-class cricket appears set to be a key flaw in an otherwise compelling case for a Test recall.
Chief selector Trevor Hohns poured cold water on Lee's hot one-day run by maintaining the two forms of the game would be viewed somewhat separately when choosing the Australian Test team.
Hohns said the express bowler's fine performances in limited-overs matches would be taken in context when the Test XI is selected for the start of the three-match trans-Tasman series in Christchurch on Thursday week.
It was an unexpected indicator that Michael Kasprowicz, boosted by a sterling 2004 boasting 47 Test wickets at 23.74, might hang onto his hard-fought place as the first-change seamer in the world champions' pace attack.
"We've got to try to separate the two forms of the game," Hohns said in Brisbane.
"(Lee's) bowling very, very well in the one-dayers over there, we'll have to take that into account.
"The other thing we will have to take into account is the form of the other three fast bowlers."
Lee, Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie were the only quicks selected in a streamlined 13-man touring squad, that included in-form Victorian Brad Hodge as the reserve batsman.
A shoulder injury to Darren Lehmann has ensured luckless left-hander Simon Katich will get first crack at the vacant No.6 position for this winter's eagerly-awaited Ashes tour.
No reserve bowler was named due to the absence of any tour matches, New Zealand's proximity and the iron-clad grip the current attack, including leg-spinner Shane Warne, has on the four bowling positions in the starting XI.
Despite Lee's menacing form with the white ball, which he has been consistently sending down above 150kph, the selectors won't consider taking four quicks plus Warne into a Test against the outclassed Black Caps.
Lee has not played a first-class game since November when he turned out for NSW and there is little proof his fiery 10-over limited-overs spells don't automatically convert to the slower fuse of five-day cricket.
With Kasprowicz bowling a tight line and utilising a variety of seam bowling, the Australian attack never gave an ounce of relief to NZ and Pakistani batsmen this summer, prompting Stephen Fleming to label them "three Richard Hadlees".
When asked whether Lee's lack of time in the white clothes was an issue, Hohns answered: "I suppose it is".
"We've also got to take into account what the other three have done in the last 12 months," he said of the trio which took a total 149 Test wickets at 21.83 in 2004.
"Everyone's been singing their praises during that period and you only have to look at their results. There's not too many sides who've scored many runs against that three-pronged pace attack."
Lee, also in the spotlight for bowling four beamers this season, believes his excellent fitness should counteract a lack of four-day bowling and feels the Jade Stadium pitch conditions may have the last word.
"We've got four guys who are definitely doing the business which is great," he said in Napier. "They can choose who they want for the make-up of the team.
"There might be something in the wicket where they find that another bowler might suit something."
McGrath and Gillespie both said neither felt assured of selection due to the irresistible form of all in the "fast-bowling cartel".
"I think with the form of all four bowlers, the make-up could be any three. There's no question there," McGrath said.
Hodge, who toured India last October, beat Mike Hussey for the last place in the squad largely due to his greater experience as a middle-order player.
Hussey, who has nailed a middle-order spot in the Australian one-day team with good form in NZ, narrowly lost out to the Victorian because most of his cricket is as a first-class opener.