Justin Langer is open to a contentious proposal that would fast-track the Australian national team returns of Steve Smith and Dave Warner.
The Australia coach is delighted with what he is seeing from Smith, Warner and fellow exile Cameron Bancroft as the punishments for their parts in the South African sandpaper debacle near their end.
Bancroft's Cricket Australia ban ends on December 29 while Smith and Warner are eligible for Australian selection again on March 29.
Smith and Warner could return through the Indian Premier League but Pakistan are proposing a five-match series of one dayers against Australia in the UAE before the World Cup.
The series from March 31 is set to ruffle Indian feathers because the dates cut across the IPL.
"There's potential, yeah, definitely potential," Langer said of the Pakistan proposal.
"That's part of the process.
"There are lots of conversations going on; what's best for our bowlers, best for the guys returning.
"I'm sure we'll work through that ... but there's certainly been no decisions."
Langer is impressed with the attitudes and preparations of the banned trio.
"He (Smith) is the Virat Kohli of the Australian cricket team, that's the truth of it," Langer said.
"I know how determined he is to get back and play for Australia.
"That makes me feel warm and fuzzy, knowing Steve Smith is determined."
Langer pointed to Bancroft's letter to his younger self that was published in the West Australian on the weekend.
"That was incredibly courageous, what we wrote and he's learned," Langer said.
"He's gone from pretty much you'd say a boy into a man, from what's happened; that warms my heart as well."
Langer also has no doubt about what the pugnacious Warner is doing to prepare himself.
"Davey Warner would be training like Rocky Balboa at the moment ... (he is) such a good player," Langer said.
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