The effects of Australian cricket's protracted pay saga could soon spread overseas, with Big Bash League clubs currently hamstrung in their pursuit of international talent.
The eight BBL franchises are among many stakeholders hoping for a breakthrough in stalled negotiations between Cricket Australia (CA) and the players' union.
CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) continued their standoff on Wednesday, two days before the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expires.
BBL clubs are in a state of flux. They are unable to sign the world's best Twenty20 freelancers because deals will be shaped by the next MoU.
CA lifted its embargo on domestic BBL player signings last week, so it could issue proposed contracts. That window will close on July 14, although the ACA has instructed players not to sign offers.
It's understood international signings remain blacklisted. Brisbane Heat captain Brendon McCullum plus Melbourne Stars' Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright will return to their respective franchises as they are locked into multi-year deals.
Uncertainty otherwise abounds regarding the two overseas slots that each franchise has.
There will be plenty of English white-ball specialists keen for a hit or bowl before the post-Ashes ODI series starts on January 14. Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan could also potentially be picked up after starring in this year's Indian Premier League.
The advent of South Africa's new lucrative Twenty20 league, which is set to run from November until December 16, is also somewhat untimely for BBL sides.
There is likely to be a couple of days break between the two T20 tournaments.
McCullum and Pietersen are set to play both competitions but it's understood there is an existing clause in at least one of their BBL contracts that governs when they must land in Australia for the 2017-18 season.
South Africa's T20 draft will be held on August 19. Franchises will be keen to lock players in for the duration of the tournament.
It isn't unusual for some BBL sides to settle on their international recruits closer to the start of a season. However, they're generally far more advanced in terms of squad planning at this point of the year.
The BBL salary cap for 2017-18 is yet to be decided. Many state players are on multi-year BBL deals but others are on the hunt for a new home and frustrated by the freeze that has restricted managers and clubs to non-binding discussions.
"Domestic players have built the Big Bash League to be what it is today," ACA president Greg Dyer said on Tuesday, accusing CA of "terrible disrespect" in regards to its original offer.
CA's lead negotiator Kevin Roberts unsuccessfully attempted to contact ACA boss Alistair Nicholson on Wednesday.
CA submitted a rejigged offer to players last Friday and wants the union to formally discuss the merits and pitfalls of it.
ACA, which rejected that offer last Friday, has called for CA chief executive James Sutherland to involve himself in emergency mediation.
Sutherland returns from England, where he attended International Cricket Council meetings, on Thursday. If he is unable to sort the mess out and finalise short-term measures then hundreds of players will become unemployed at the end of the week.
