Australia again have an unsettled XI for the Ashes opener, this time because of David Warner's stiff neck and Shaun Marsh's sore back, prompting selectors to summon Glenn Maxwell to Brisbane.
The selection debate is back on, having raged so robustly over the past month - culminating in one of the hardest meetings Trevor Hohns had chaired.
In the rich tradition of last-minute Ashes drama and 12 years after Glenn McGrath's freak ankle injury, Australia's bid to reclaim the urn is suddenly beset by mishaps.
It remains to be seen whether Warner, who remains restricted by his stiff neck but very confident he will face England after batting in the nets on Wednesday, will take his place on Thursday at the top of the order.
It was thought Maxwell flew in as cover for the vice-captain, who would be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.
But it emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Marsh, who was slated to open if Warner wasn't fit enough to feature in the first Test, was also nursing a niggle.
It would be an extraordinary series of events for Maxwell to bat at No.6 in his first Test on home soil - a week after being overlooked in favour of Marsh and a day after dashing to Melbourne Airport on short notice.
The presence of only one shadow batsman suggests Marsh's concern is more serious than that of Warner.
"He said he'll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to," skipper Steve Smith said of Warner, in reference to the West Indian's unique face-on technique that made his own look orthodox.
"He's very confident and he says he'll be right to go.
"He'll be OK. It's part and parcel of playing cricket. Guys have injuries every now and then, and have little niggles.
"He's improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours and, hopefully, he can keep improving and be 100 per cent at 10am."
Marsh has a history of back trouble and was restricted by a jarred back in his most-recent Test earlier this year in India.
Team medicos and chairman of selectors Hohns face some tough calls. The worst-case scenario would be for both Warner and Marsh to play then retire hurt at some point in Australia's first innings.
"I'm sure he will be fine," England captain Joe Root said of Warner.
"These sort of things tend to crop up before a big series but I don't think we need to change our plans on anything. We'll still prepare the same and be absolutely ready for him to play."
The aggressive opener twinged his neck on Tuesday morning while taking a catch at the Gabba.
Warner received treatment overnight and hit the nets on Wednesday morning after a brief chat with team physio David Beakley.
It wasn't the most exacting session, with Warner batting in a hat and only facing throwdowns. He started cautiously then finished with a flurry of pull shots.
Interested onlookers Beakley and Hohns appeared somewhat satisfied.
"I don't think a sore neck is going to keep me out," Warner declared on Tuesday.
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