Cricket Australia have defended the makeup of their 2017-18 schedule, despite no Sheffield Shield matches to be played between the fifth and final Ashes Test and the tour of South Africa.
Another round of Shield before the Australian squad flies out for South Africa on February 15 would benefit the likes of under-pressure opener Cameron Bancroft and Test aspirants Joe Burns and Peter Handscomb.
A one-day series with England and a three-way Twenty20 series that includes New Zealand will follow the Sydney Test, with those seeking to earn a spot on the plane to South Africa not afforded the opportunity to play four-day domestic cricket before then.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said the selectors had a firm idea of where the contenders stood and it wouldn't impede the squad's performance.
"The selectors will form their own views on where all the players are in terms of preparation and transition back into Test cricket," Sutherland said.
"What we do know is we have a clear hierarchy in the way we prioritise things and Test cricket is the No.1 thing.
"International cricket stands above domestic cricket and Test cricket stands above all the other formats.
"It's a big series in South Africa. We'll make sure on one hand we do as best as we can in the one-day and T20 series and then transition those players that need the work going into the South Africa series."
The next Sheffield Shield round will begin on February 8, following the conclusion of the Big Bash League, with the South African touring squad to be announced later this month.
Handscomb, who played the first two Tests of the summer before making way for Mitchell Marsh, has had to make his case via the Melbourne Stars in the BBL.
"I think everyone knows and understands Pete's a pretty good player and he's unlucky not to be in the team," Sutherland said,
"He averages over 40 in Test cricket. There isn't any doubt about where he sits in selector's minds."
