Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have all sought legal advice and are strongly considering the merits of challenging bans levelled by Cricket Australia (CA).
The suspended trio have returned home in shame for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal, apologising to the nation in tearful press conferences.
They all acknowledge erring in Cape Town but haven't formally accepted or challenged their charge or sanctions issued by CA.
Those decisions are unlikely to come until Tuesday at the earliest. The deadline is Thursday.
Public sentiment has flipped from furious outrage to feelings of sympathy in recent days, especially for Smith and Bancroft.
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That may change if players extend the saga in a formal hearing that would be chaired by an independent commissioner.
But, much like last year's pay dispute, CA may also come out of a judicial stoush poorly as more sordid details emerge while they search for new sponsors and negotiate a TV rights deal.
"All we can do is uphold the code to our best judgment and take into consideration the evidence we have," CA chief executive James Sutherland said, when asked on Wednesday whether formal hearings could further batter the sport's image in Australia.
"It's about the spirit of cricket, it's about the good of the game. It's not about individuals or thinking about those sorts of consequences.
"We've got to make those judgments on what's best for the game.
"As a course of natural justice under our code, players have the right to accept or reject the charges or the sanctions or both.
"If they do to take that to appeal. That's a good, proper legal process and that's why it's written that way."
Smith, Warner and Bancroft are attempting to collect their thoughts over the Easter weekend after a life-changing week, while lawyers continue to probe how CA meted out law and order.
The players' union, which continues to offer the trio welfare and legal support, made the argument in a media release on Thursday there were a number of "glaring and clear anomalies" in CA's expedited investigation and disciplinary approach.
Many domestic and international players - past and present - feel the governing body bowed to public pressure that came all the way from the top.
CA chairman David Peever, upon landing in Australia the day after footage emerged of Bancroft stuffing sandpaper down his trousers, had a "frank discussion" with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and explained there would be a decisive response.
Shane Warne has been vocal in his condemnation of CA, accusing them of caving to "hysteria".
Some of the Test stars currently in Johannesburg feel incredibly sorry for Smith in particular.
The skipper became the figurehead of the scandal - and took responsibility because he was leading the team - but was least culpable according to CA's investigation.
