Nathan Lyon reckons Cameron Green can be Test cricket's next Jacques Kallis, and he has laughed off concerns over Steve Smith as the pair aim to bat Australia to victory over West Indies at the Gabba.
New opener Smith, unbeaten on 33, and No.4 Green, still there on nine, survived a tricky final passage in Brisbane on Saturday night to move the hosts to 2-60, requiring another 156 to seal a 2-0 series win and a 5-0 summer sweep.
Australia's effort to dismiss the plucky tourists for 193 second time around - leaving the home side a chase of 216 - reduced the chance of a draw, despite the forecast wet weather finally arriving on Sunday.
Morning storms could delay the start of play on day four, with more rain expected on the final day of the pink-ball Test.
Green returned to the team in his preferred position for the Adelaide Test after Smith was shuffled upwards to open in place of the retired David Warner.
Both have failed in two first-innings attempts since.
But on Sunday they have the platform to shut the door on the conversation ahead of a two-Test tour of New Zealand next month and India's arrival later this year.
Lyon's view is that the case is already closed.
"There is so much confidence in that change room around all the guys and not just Smithy batting at No.1 and Cameron at number four," he said after taking 3-42 in 22 overs on an oppressively hot Saturday.
"I have had the challenge of bowling to Greeny in Shield cricket with him batting at No.4, and he has given me a lot of headaches.
"I actually enjoy seeing him bat at number four and I feel like he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket at number four."
South African allrounder Kallis averaged 55 with the bat and 32 with the ball across 166 Tests, managing an incredible 45 centuries to go with 292 wickets.
West Australian Green has a first-class batting average of 46, mostly batting at No.4, along with 71 wickets at 33.
He looked to have found his home in Australia's Test team when he notched a maiden century in India early last year.
But he has a highest score of 38 in 11 Test knocks since and was eventually replaced by Mitchell Marsh during last year's Ashes, before slotting back in once Warner left the scene.
He was unlucky not to have two first-session wickets on Saturday when Smith shelled a diving effort in second slip.
And he survived a testing final few overs that included one big shout for lbw, Smith looking far more comfortable as he pulled and drove his way to stumps.
Smith's highest score of the summer is 50, his lowest best effort in a career spanning 14 years.
"I don’t need to talk about Smithy, his numbers speak for themselves," Lyon said.
"There has been no one worried about Smithy’s form.
"We are talking about arguably the greatest player of the last decade and there is a lot of talk about his batting.
"I sit here and laugh because he is arguably the best problem solver I have ever played with."
Lyon knows there is still plenty of work to do against a West Indies team that believes they can snap a 27-year drought between Test victories in this country.
"We are still thinking about getting eight wickets and winning the game," vice-captain Alzarri Joseph said.
"I like the fight that the boys have put in ... but the game isn't done yet, there can be more.
"We're still playing for a win."
