Despite uncertainty regarding the Marsh Sheffield Shield season's resume, no Australian player has signalled that they wish to opt out of travelling Pakistan, with selectors "way down the track" to finalising a Test squad.
After repeated briefings for what would be the first Australian tour of the country since Mark Taylor's men went in 1998, national selector George Bailey said today that he believed security arrangements were "very, robust and very thorough."
"I believe the boards are still working through some of the minor details around that tour," Bailey told reporters today. "Once that gets the formal tick of approval, we'll announce the squad post that, but we're reasonably well down the track."
Following the 4-0 thrashing of England in the Ashes series this summer, the Test team will essentially pick itself, with the emergence of Scott Boland as a consistent workhorse allowing selectors to rest Jhye Richardson.
After being sidelined from next month's Dettol T20 series, allrounder Mitch Marsh and opener David Warner could be locked in for the tour.
It's unclear how much Shield cricket selectors will have to see in order to finalise their selection, especially given the Western Australian border scenario.
Shield cricket would resume around February 9 after an 11-day break following the KFC BBL final, like in prior years.
That would appear to leave the Australian squad with a maximum of two Shield matches before departing in the last week of February ahead of a Test series set to begin on March 3 in Karachi.
"I'm not sure if we need to (watch any Shield cricket) or not, but I'm not sure what opportunity we have."Bailey said today.
"But I believe one thing we must embrace and be flexible with is what we have now.
"One of the great things about the Ashes, and probably one of the reasons the players did so well, was that a number of them had played a lot of Shield cricket before to the series.
"Whether it's for Pakistan or not, you'd hope there's a possibility for some Shield cricket at some point just because of the competitiveness and to see guys progressing and getting the chance to display their goods."
On the back of his superb performances in the Ashes series, Travis Head was chosen in Australia's T20 squad to face Sri Lanka today, and Bailey said there was no reason in-form white-ball players couldn't do the same with spots on overseas trips.
"I understand that the three formats are vastly different, but there are skillsets that cross across, so if the opportunity arises and we find a fit, (selection) will not be ruled out," Bailey said.
"Just by the nature of scheduling and different possibilities, there are a number of guys — Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Ash Agar, Mitch Swepson, to name a few – who have played a lot of one format and not as much of another."
Selectors were concerned about the fate of the Western Australian contingent, according to Bailey, after the state's government postponed plans to restore its border with the eastern states.
CA and the WACA are working out plans with individual players to allow them to spend time at home and relax, but many will be unable to return home for several months.
"By the nature of scheduling and varied options, there are a number of individuals — Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Ash Agar, Mitch Swepson, to name a few – who have played a lot of one format and not as much of another."
According to Bailey, selectors were anxious about the fate of the Western Australian contingent after the state's administration postponed preparations to restore the state's border with the eastern states.
Individual players are working out plans with CA and the WACA to allow them to spend time at home and rest, although many may not be able to do so for several months.
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