Australia are desperate to squeeze another allrounder into their XI for Friday's ODI series opener against India, with potential debutant Cameron Green and veteran Moises Henriques both in the mix for a call-up.
Mitch Marsh's ankle injury will force selectors to make at least one change to the side that defeated England in Australia's most recent hit-out.
Gun batsman Steve Smith, who missed all three one-dayers on that tour of England because of concussion, is a definite starter in Friday's SCG clash.
But coach Justin Langer is pondering a further tweak to the team, having identified a glut of allrounders as being one of Australia's key plans as they build towards the 2023 ODI World Cup.
It could mean Green is given his first taste of international cricket; if not at the SCG on Friday then later in the limited-overs leg of India's tour that features three ODIs and three Twenty20s.
The 21-year-old demanded selection in the Test and white-ball squads with some impressive knocks but only recently returned to the bowling crease for Western Australia, having played as a batsman while recovering from a back stress fracture.
"There's some headaches but they're some good headaches," Langer said.
"What we did learn, and we've talked about it in our foundation for one-day cricket, we really like that extra bowling option.
"In England we had Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell being able to get us at least 10 overs.
"We've got Cam Green and Moises Henriques here as direct replacements for Mitch Marsh, both at different ends of their career."
Green has already made a big impression on Langer this week, bowling with good pace in the nets.
"He's a young fast bowler, he's 200cm, we're very sensitive to his physical health. Particularly as he's had two stress fractures," Langer said.
"He's up and running, bowling well and certainly giving us another option at the selection table."
Some members of the squad are training under Langer's watchful eye at the SCG this week.
But Smith and other stars returning from the Indian Premier League are still in quarantine, meaning they're restricted to separate sessions in Blacktown.
It is one of many COVID-19 quirks that have allowed India's tour to proceed after months of immense doubt.
"We've been nervous. We're still nervous, we'll be nervous until the last ball of the summer's bowled," Langer said.
"There's no greater competition than between India and Australia. The boys will be ready."
Australian Associated Press
