Australia's victorious second Test XI will be given a chance to rest up ahead of the Boxing Day Test, coach Justin Langer confirming they won't be released for Big Bash League matches.
The Aussies levelled the Test series against India at 1-1 on Tuesday after a bruising, sapping five-day encounter and will enjoy a seven-day break before the third Test gets underway at the MCG.
The eighth edition of the BBL starts at the Gabba on Wednesday night when Brisbane Heat host reigning champions Adelaide Strikers.
Melbourne Renegades had hoped to regain captain Aaron Finch and opener Marcus Harris for their season-opener on Thursday but Langer knocked that on the head.
"Not the 11 guys here," Langer told Melbourne's SEN.
"... they've played a lot of cricket and (a break) would be good for guys like Tim Paine and Finchy, who has played so much cricket.
"It will be good for those guys to recharge their batteries a bit."
Finch's BBL involvement was always a long shot as he continues to nurse a finger injury suffered when struck during Australia's second innings at Optus Stadium.
He was able to return but was spared fielding duties during India's second innings.
"We don't want to take any risks ... he's been banged on that finger badly a number of times," Langer said.
"We might look at (including) some coverage but at this stage he's right for Boxing Day."
Mitch Marsh (Perth Scorchers) and Peter Siddle (Strikers), who didn't make the playing eleven but were with the Test squad in Perth, will be released to play BBL as they look to force their way into the Test line-up.
Cricket Australia has not ruled out releasing Test players for BBL duties later in the season.
The Renegades named Tom Cooper as their vice-captain on Tuesday and he will skipper the side when they open their campaign against the Scorchers on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium.
SECOND TEST XI AND THEIR BBL08 TEAMS:
* Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades)
* Marcus Harris (Melbourne Renegades)
* Usman Khawaja (Sydney Thunder)
* Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers)
* Tim Paine (Hobart Hurricanes)
* Peter Handscomb (Melbourne Stars)
* Shaun Marsh (Perth Scorchers)
* Nathan Lyon (Sydney Sixers)
* Pat Cummins (Sydney Thunder)
* Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood haven't signed with BBL teams for the coming season.
