Ricky Ponting's one and only look at new Australian spinner Jon Holland was from 22 yards in the practice nets 10 months ago, but he expects the Victorian to make a lasting impression on the upcoming tour of India.
Off-spinner Holland was a shock selection in the Australian squad for the seven-match series, the selectors prepared to take a gamble with the future in mind despite the 22-year-old's modest domestic record.
Ponting has never met Holland but faced him in the MCG nets prior to last year's Boxing Day Test and has heard solid reviews on the cricket grapevine.
"I've seen about 20 minutes of him bowling to me in the nets leading up to the Boxing Day Test last year so that's about as much as I've seen of Jon," Ponting said shortly before joining the Australian squad in India.
"He gets good wraps from all the other Victorian guys and just speaking to a guy that plays club cricket with him at Carlton on the weekend as well, everyone believes that he's got a great future."
"It's great to have another young guy around the group and especially a young spinner making the tour to India."
"I think you can't help but learn over there when you bowl in those conditions and bowl to better players like he will be bowling to all the Australian batsmen over the next few weeks and he might even get an opportunity to bowl at some very good players of spin in the Indian batsmen as well."
"There's some great opportunities that lie ahead for Jon and I'm looking forward to spending some time with him over the next few weeks."
While Holland's international career is taking off, a player nearing the end is also exciting Ponting.
Paceman Brett Lee is returning to his best in limited overs cricket after injury sidelined him during the Ashes tour.
He has boldly declared a desire to win back his spot as the spearhead of Australia's Test bowling attack despite younger rivals Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle getting the jump on him.
"He obviously was frustrated with the way the Ashes series turned out for him breaking down before the first game and then not getting his bowling fitness where it needed to be to take part in that series," Ponting said of Lee.
"But I thought his form through the one-dayers in England was particularly good and then it carried on through the Champions Trophy, so things are heading in the right direction for him most definitely."
"He's been bowling fast for the last few months."