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Alex Carey, already regarded by some as a future Test captain, says there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge before he potentially dons a baggy green.
Alex Carey has cemented his status as Tim Paine's likely successor behind the stumps in Australia's Test side, but the talented wicketkeeper feels he is still learning plenty about cricket.
Carey's glovework and leadership have long been held in high regard by the national selection panel.
Paine even recently included the South Australian, who is yet to don the baggy green but notably played a handful of ODI games in 2018 as a batsman alongside Paine, in a list of candidates to be the next Test captain.
Carey's challenge, like so many Test aspirants who miss chunks of the Sheffield Shield season to represent their country in ODI and Twenty20 cricket, has been limited opportunities to impress in the whites.
The 28-year-old's red-ball batting has nonetheless seemingly gone to another level over the past two seasons, having posted three centuries from his past five Shield outings.
Carey, who is using a golf ball to keep his hand-eye coordination sharp in lockdown and enjoying unexpected time at home with 19-month-old son Louis, knows he must bide his time.
"I've played maybe six to eight first-class games the last two summers, which isn't a lot of cricket. A positive for me is with those limited opportunities I've done really well," Carey told reporters.
"Scored a few hundreds back to back there, so I'm learning about my game every time I go out to play cricket. Whether it's the white ball or red ball.
"I'm learning lots about myself. You mature into your body and start to work out what you can do out on the field.
"I'll continue hopefully to learn and be good enough one day to earn a Test cap. There's a lot to do between now and then if it does happen."
The vice-captain of Australia's limited-overs teams, who will play a key role at this year's T20 World Cup should it go ahead, admitted it can be difficult switching formats but added there was an obvious upside to playing international cricket.
Carey, who would currently be enjoying his maiden Indian Premier League season if not for the health crisis, welcomed some family time after a taxing 2019 that included the one-day World Cup in England.
"He (son Louis) is 19 months old and I'd be surprised if I've been home for six of those months. So to have forced leave and forced time at home is something I'm very grateful for," he said.
