Christmas can be as cruel as it is joyous, a truism that Australia paceman Scott Boland is having to ponder ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Twelve months on from his astonishing Test debut, and not having put a foot wrong since returning to the team earlier this month, Boland might be about to fall victim to Australia's potent pace bowling depth.
And worse, he's not sure when the good or bad news will come.
Josh Hazlewood's return to the squad from two games out with a side muscle strain means Boland might be the hard luck story of the second Test against South Africa at the MCG.
"I hope so, but I'm not sure," the Victorian said about retaining his Test spot.
Asked when he would find out, Boland replied: "Either after training tomorrow or Christmas Day, or maybe even the morning of the game - I'm not sure."
Boland linked up with the squad on Friday morning after a couple of days off following Australia's first Test rout of South Africa on the Gabba green-top.
"You guys (media) probably know more than me. I haven't heard a thing," he said of his selection chances.
"I'm really hoping I get to play, but we have a couple of big training sessions over the next couple of days.
"Last year I found out on Christmas Eve - it was pretty nice.
"It (retaining his Test berth) would be a great way to celebrate Christmas Day."
Boland has taken 25 wickets in his five Tests at the miserly average of 10.36.
His finest moment so far came in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test a year ago, when he ran through England with 6-7 in 20 balls to end the match.
Boland's man-of-the-match performance also confirmed the Ashes series win.
One of the big reasons for his Test debut was Boland's well-founded reputation as a bowler who gets the most out of the MCG wicket.
He has also done nothing wrong since taking Hazlewood's place in the team, with three wickets in an over against West Indies during the Adelaide Test and then four South African scalps in Brisbane.
But all Boland can do now is train well ahead of the match and put his best forward to the selectors.
"I'm pretty set in my routines, going into training and leading into games," he said of his mindset.
"I won't go away too far from that."
Looking further afield, Boland is licking his lips about next year's Ashes tour.
"Everyone has been telling me that England will really suit my bowling, so I hope I get a chance to have a bowl over there," he said.
At 33, he is heartened by evergreen English paceman James Anderson, who shows no signs of decline.
"I see what he's doing at 40, I think he's had one of his best years to date," Boland said.
"I think he's going really well. I don't know if I'll make it to 40, but I'd like to go on for a few more years and I think my body is in a pretty good spot that I can keep pushing and keep bowling lots of overs."
