The good news for Australia is that potential game-breaker Shane Watson is bowling again with the Ashes in sight.
The bad news is it’s hard not to be cynical about how much mileage the injury-prone allrounder can sustain.
Only time will tell whether his seven white-ball overs against England at Edgbaston were too much too early with the all-important five-Test Ashes series still a month away.
Watson made the first breakthrough of the innings in the Champions Trophy clash, dismissing captain Alastair Cook.
And with figures of 1-26 – he was Australia’s most economical bowler.
It counted for little in the final wash-up, with Australia’s batting falling 48 short of the 270-run victory target, but it was a timely reminder of the impact he can have with the ball in all forms.
However, if Watson’s medical history is any indication, his body will be up against it to maintain such a load over the gruelling few months ahead.
Stand-in ODI captain George Bailey says Australia’s plan will be guided by Watson.
“We monitor that pretty close with Watto,” said Bailey.
“He’s honest and he could have given us 10 (on Saturday).
“I think we looked after him pretty well in the practice games and it’s just about being smart about when we use him and how often we use him.
“When you have someone like Watto, who is so important to our side and you see how much he adds to our side – you’ve got to be guided by him a little bit.”
Watson’s batting could potentially rescue Australia’s hopes in this tournament, but he was out for 24 in Birmingham.
However, Bailey expressed confidence that Watson, who made two hundreds in the semi and final of Australia’s 2009 Champions Trophy success, is in excellent touch.