Tim Paine is likely to recharge his batteries before a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, rather than have a short stint in the Big Bash League.
Paine's commitment to the Hobart Hurricanes can't be faulted, as underlined by the recruitment pitch he delivered to Rishabh Pant at the MCG.
But Paine is expected to turn his focus quickly to Australia's day-night clash with Sri Lanka that starts on January 24, rather than whacking the white ball next week for Hobart.
The Test skipper isn't taking part in the three-match ODI series that starts on Saturday against India.
It means the 34-year-old could hypothetically play BBL games for the undefeated ladder leaders on January 14 and 18 before linking up with Australia's Test squad in Brisbane.
"It might be a little bit of a stretch. We'll probably have that conversation in the next day or two," Paine told Fox Cricket.
"We'll probably have that conversation in the next day or two. I'd love to get back and play, but I've had a little bit on and still got a fair bit to go through this summer.
"So it's a bit of a balancing act to make sure I'm right to go for Australia."
Paine, George Bailey and D'Arcy Short are the Hurricanes' only players to have scored 1000 BBL runs.
Travis Head, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne are the other members of the Test squad who might return to the BBL, having been left out of Australia's ODI squad.
Labuschagne will remain in Sydney after the Test, having been named in Brisbane Heat's squad for their Tuesday night clash with Sydney Thunder at Spotless Stadium.
Frontline quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have been rested from the ODI series to ensure they're cherry ripe for the ensuing Tests.
