Steve Smith is unlikely to be made available for Big Bash League finals with the Sydney Sixers' player drain not expected to result in an about-face from Cricket Australia or rival clubs.
The Sixers lost three players in the space of 24 hours on Saturday, with Daniel Hughes injured and brothers Mickey and Jack Edwards contracting COVID-19.
The Sixers' application to sign Smith was last week rejected by rival clubs, after the former Test captain became available with the one-day series against New Zealand called off.
Both CA and the clubs had reasoned that players could not be signed from outside of the local replacement pool, which was created a fortnight ago due to COVID-19 shortages.
There had been some thought on Sunday that Smith could apply to join the local replacement player pool, and be picked up by the Sixers given their list of unavailabilities.
The Sixers had already had to use Nick Bertus off that list on Saturday night due to COVID-19 and injuries, before they went down to the Perth Scorchers.
CA has since told AAP that any application would be assessed on its merits, however the fact it was created in collaboration with all clubs means it would likely need agreement for a player to be added.
In effect, it means any application for Smith to play would go before the same group that rejected his entrance into the competition last week.
There are also questions over whether Smith would have enough time to re-enter the BBL bubble, after leaving protocols following the Ashes win last week.
It comes after Mickey Edwards produced an inconclusive rapid test and his brother Jack joined him in isolation.
The pair have since both tested positive to the virus, with the Sixers unsure if they will be out in time to play in Friday's final in Melbourne if they qualify.
The Sixers are at this stage hopeful the virus has not spread to other members of the team.
Batter Hughes is also in serious doubt, after rolling his ankle in warm-up and missing the heavy loss to the Scorchers.
He has sustained high-grade ligament damage.
While it is not a syndesmosis injury Hughes is considered unlikely to play again, missing the preliminary final against either the Sydney Thunder or Adelaide Strikers on Australia Day and the decider next Friday should the Sixers advance.
Adam Gilchrist joined the chorus of calls for Smith to be able to play in the preliminary final.
"My question for everyone in the tournament is, sure ly you want to maximise the value of this product," Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
"The argument will be a precedent set, a disadvantage to other teams because they didn't have the opportunity to bring in players from outside that pool.
"But surely common sense has to overrule."
Scorchers batter Colin Munro even admitted he believed Smith should have been able to play, noting "you want the best players playing" in the same broadcast.
Veteran Sixers players Moises Henriques and Daniel Christian have also been vocal on the issue, as well as Melbourne Stars batter Joe Burns.
