West Indies could be forced to give a debut to pace bowler Marquino Mindley just 48 hours after getting off a flight from the Caribbean as the tourists battle several injuries in Adelaide.
Veteran quick Kemar Roach (hamstring), young seamer Jayden Seales (knee) and No.3 bat Nkrumah Bonner (concussion) all remain in doubt for the second Test against Australia.
Complicating the matter further is the fact allrounder Kyle Mayers (shoulder) will play as a batter only, leaving the Windies short on bowling depth if one of their injured crew aggravate their issues.
Pace bowler Phillip Anderson will be the tourists' first-choice back-up, but if Seales and Roach are ruled out then 27-year-old Mindley will be called in.
"It is going to be very difficult for him," coach Phil Simmons said.
"If it was say a Roach, who has played 50 Test matches (then fine). But someone who is making his debut, that is going to be very difficult.
"But that's what he has been brought for. And me as a person who has played Test cricket, I know I would be jumping at the opportunity to get my first Test cap."
Thursday's match will mark Simmons' last in charge of West Indies, after he resigned following the team's Twenty20 World Cup obliteration.
But the side's Test fortunes have been significantly better during his stint.
Last week's 164-run loss to Australia was their first defeat in six Tests this year, having claimed series wins over England and Bangladesh and drawn with Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2021.
"My big hope for West Indies cricket is we get things in order at home so every team can start improving and moving up the ladder in world cricket," Simmons said.
"The Test team have shown the way so far.
"The last few years we haven't had good success in white-ball cricket but the talent is always there.
"What we do on the ground to harness that talent and move it forward will get us back to where we are supposed to be."
Simmons' current tenure is his second stint in charge of West Indies, but the former Test 'keeper ruled out any chance of a third.
"That is enough for me," he said.
"I would like a lot more time home with my family. An international stint can be ruled out for now.
"I'm not retired yet. My kids keep calling it semi-retired. I will continue doing coaching and whatever comes up for me."
