Steve Smith just keeps getting better and better.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
So much so, Australia coach Justin Langer backs him to be the No.1 batsman in all three formats of the game.
Smith's currently the best Test batsman in the world, ahead of India's Virat Kohli and Kiwi Kane Williamson.
But he's only ranked 27th for one-day internationals and doesn't even rate a mention in the ICC's top 100 for the Twenty20 game.
Smith was at his creative best leading Australia to victory over Pakistan at Manuka Oval on Tuesday night, cruising to an unbeaten 80 off just 51 balls in the seven-wicket win.
It put to bed any doubts over his suitability to the shortest form of the international game, where he averaged just 21.55 going into the summer.
He's racked up 146 runs in five games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer at an average of 146 and a strike rate of 152.1.
Langer felt topping all the charts was well within reach for the former Australian captain.
"Hopefully he's ranked No.1 in all three forms. I'm sure he'll be aspiring to do that," he said on Wednesday.
"Probably anyone who questions Steve Smith and anything to do with batting, it puts a smile on your face doesn't it.
"His greatest strength is his ability to solve problems, whether it's in Test cricket or T20 cricket that's what he's so good at.
"The best players in the world do it. The best players adapt to white or red ball or twenty over or Test cricket.
"It's not a fluke that he's a great player."
Smith has returned to the game after an enforced year off in brilliant touch.
England struggled to get the 30-year-old out in the recent Ashes series and he's brought that form back to Australia, having already scored a Sheffield Shield century for NSW.
Langer felt his star was continuing to rise.
"It seems like it doesn't it. The Test series in England was incredible, his 90 in the semi-final in the World Cup was incredible and he got a 100 for NSW, and [Tuesday] night was just sublime," he said.
"He plays shots [where] you just shake your head.
"You're sitting on the bench with the boys and they're looking at me going, 'How does he do that?'.
"It's got me buggered, but he's getting better and better, which is great for Australian cricket."
While Smith travelled to Perth for the third-and-final T20 game against Pakistan, strike bowler Pat Cummins didn't.
He returned to Sydney to rest and prepare for Australia's upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which starts in Brisbane in two weeks.
Cummins has played all five T20s so far, as well as playing a crucial role in Australia retaining the Ashes.
He played all five Tests in England and will again be a key against Pakistan.
Langer said they wouldn't bring another bowler into the squad to replace him.
"It's more a little bit of recovery and preparing for the Test match," Langer said of Cummins.
"We've got so much cricket on, he plays a lot of it.
"Rather than taking the long flight to Perth he's going to stay here, recover and then prepare for the Test series."
Langer said he wasn't any closer to locking in what the side might look like for that Gabba Test.
There are several batting spots up for grabs after the top order failed to fire during the Ashes - with the exception of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
He said there was still another round of Sheffield Shield games to go, plus Australia A play Pakistan in a three-day game in Perth from Monday.
Several batsmen caught Langer's eye, including South Australia captain Travis Head, WA young gun Cameron Green and Matthew Wade.
Head made a first-innings century against NSW, Green helped Langer's home state to a draw against Queensland with 87 and 121 not out and Tasmania's Wade made 69 and an unbeaten 57 to beat Victoria.
"There's another Shield game to go, another Australia A game to go in conditions that will be similar to what we play at the Gabba," Langer said.
"Certainly nothing in concrete yet, but I'm hoping someone starts banging really hard on the door.
"Travis played well. There's a number of guys. I thought the way Matthew Wade played was excellent in winning the game for Tasmania.
"Cameron Green, we could slide him into the top four, he's got a very bright future.
"I watched him bat yesterday. I know how well he can bowl. He's a good young kid.
"I keep maintaining there's so much talent in the Australian cricket team, we've just got to keep make sure we get the combinations right, make sure we get the people ready to go for this Test series."