Nathan Hauritz has made life complicated for national selectors by copping a hammering in the Ashes warm-up match at Hove.
The off-spinner entered the day a very strong chance of playing in next month's first Ashes test in Cardiff but conceded 0-98 off 18 overs against Sussex.
The focus of the second day of the clash was expected to be about sorting out which of the fast bowlers should join Mitchell Johnson in the Ashes opener starting July 8.
Instead all of the pacemen showed something with Stuart Clark (3-46) and Brett Lee (3-52) enjoying the major spoils as Hauritz was made to look second rate at the County Ground.
The Sophia Gardens pitch is expected to turn but the dilemma for Australia is the NSW tweaker is the only specialist spinner in the touring party.
Ricky Ponting's other options are the part-time brigade of Marcus North, Simon Katich and Michael Clarke.
There won't be a national selector on duty until next week's tour match in Worcester and by that time the selection panel must be hoping for a bit more clarity on affairs.
Clark showed his class late in the day by breaking up the 87-run seventh wicket stand between Andrew Hodd (40) and Robin Martin-Jenkins (35).
But Peter Siddle (2-33) and Ben Hilfenhaus (1-31) also had their moments as all four quicks remained well in with a shout for the two or three spots on offer in Wales.
In reply to Australia's 349 for seven declared, Sussex were dismissed for 311 late on day two.
The tourists were 18 without loss in their second innings at stumps with Phillip Hughes (17no) and Katich (0no) unbeaten.
Clark displayed the intent of the pacemen as he struck Hodd in the throat region with a short ball that flattened the wicketkeeper.
The Australian players all showed concern for his welfare but Hodd showed some pluck by batting on and carving out a handy knock.
But as impressive as the quicks were, Hauritz was awful as the Sussex batsmen treated his bowling with disdain.
He hardly troubled the home side and bowled way too short at times, having 16 runs plundered off one over.
He was hit for 35 in his opening five overs and skipper Ricky Ponting tried to give him a chance to make up for his poor start and it also allowed the captain to rotate the quicks.
But the worry is the damage the afternoon might have done to Hauritz's confidence.
To add salt to the wound was the sight of left-arm wrist spinner Katich (1-32) trapping lower order batsmen Ollie Rayner (25) in front late in the day.
Hauritz's best chance of the day was a missed stumping with Hodd on 26 just before tea.
