James Taylor remains one of the best one-day batsmen in England and Alex Hales can succeed at Test match level, according to Mick Newell.
The Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket has observed the duo with interest during a breakthrough period on the international scene.
Both harbour ambitions of becoming all format regulars for their country, and both still have work to do in order to achieve it.
Taylor’s long awaited return to the Test arena this winter bore two half-centuries in five appearances while, in the one-day format, he has barely put a foot wrong.
Series averages of 49 and 75 against Australia and Pakistan respectively, however, weren’t enough to secure a shirt for the recent series in South Africa, and Newell admitted the 26-year-old has every right to feel unfortunate.
“Titch is unlucky,” said Newell. "He’s competing with the captain (Eoin Morgan) and the best player (Joe Root).
“That’s a tough ask. England want to play two spinners and four seamers at the moment.
“It’s a crowded position but there are loads of games. He is definitely in the 12 or 13 all the time. Can he get in and make himself undroppable?
“It’s a question of him making runs and how England balance the team. They could play one spinner, they could move Moeen Ali up the order to keep two spinners. This was a tough series to squeeze him in.
“When you are leaving him and Baristow out you can see we have about 16 quality players we want to squeeze into 11 places.
“You have to look at major tournaments and try to develop a core we pick from them to suit conditions.”
Hales, meanwhile, posted scores in excess of 50 in all five ODIs against the Proteas, amassing 383 runs at an average of 77, finishing the series with a century and earning the Man of the Series accolade.
The preceding Test series was, however, much more harrowing for the Notts opener, who averaged 17 having posted just one half-century.
Newell, however, believes that – having enjoyed success batting in a responsible manner in the 50-over game – a strong start to the 2016 season with Notts could lead to a second chance against in red ball cricket Sri Lanka.
“He had a great ODI series and everyone will be encouraged, but it’s only by scoring runs in Tests this summer, if selected, that he can cut it,” said Newell.
“There are still question marks for some with the way he gets out, but he showed a lot of maturity, especially in the last game.
“Players can take time to settle in international cricket. The two players who opened before Alex scored early centuries but then were out after seven or eight games.
“He’s not made a breakthrough innings yet, but he can give it another go. He can start the season well for us, he has done in the past.”
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.