Test captain Ricky Ponting issued a blunt warning to selectors to stick with young all-rounder Shane Watson for the long-term benefit of Australian cricket.
"I'll certainly be saying that to the selectors, that's the way we should be going," Ponting said.
"He's learnt a lot about himself and about his game over the last 12 months.
"He's batting as well as anybody in our line-up at the moment and his bowling will improve with the more exposure he gets at this level."
Watson, 24, has overcome back problems to play two Tests but has the unflattering figures of 65 runs at 21.66 and one wicket for 98 runs.
As Australia desperately tries to uncover a super talent to rival Ashes tormentor Andrew Flintoff, Watson took 0-84 for Queensland in the West Indies' first innings of 9-612 declared at Brisbane's Allan Border Field last week.
But Ponting on Thursday stood firmly in the Queenslander's corner.
"Shane Watson is going to be given a good run in that all-rounder's role for hopefully a long period of time," Ponting said.
Ponting said Watson was a "terrific young cricketer".
Watson showed some encouraging form in last month's three-match one-day series against the World XI in Melbourne, winning man-of-the-match awards twice and finishing with an unbeaten 66 and 4-39 in the third game.