Marcus Stoinis is poised to be cleared to by Cricket Australia to play in UAE's lucrative T20 league this summer, provided the allrounder misses no domestic games at home.
Stoinis became the first centrally-contracted Australian player to sign for International League T20 last week, when his deal was announced by the Sharjah Warriors.
The competition is the main threat to the Big Bash League, with clubs able to sign up to nine overseas players each on salaries of up to $650,000 a season.
Several overseas stars will leave the BBL in the next week to participate in the competition, highlighting the danger the ILT20 poses to Australia's competition.
The competition also tried to lure David Warner to travel to play on a top-tier deal for this season, while the uncontracted Chris Lynn will also leave the BBL after 11 rounds to play.
Stoinis' participation in the tournament is yet to be officially signed off on by CA, with the 33-year-old's agent still in talks with officials.
AAP has been told Stoinis is likely to get clearance provided he is available for all Australian domestic commitments.
The Australian T20 star has already declared he would not leave before the end of the Melbourne Stars' BBL season on January 25 if the last-placed club miss the finals.
He will also make himself available to be selected for Western Australia in Sheffield Shield, with a match against South Australia on February 10 and a one-day game to follow.
That will leave Stoinis with up to four games to play for Sharjah, before missing the finals of the ILT20 to play in the Sheffield Shield.
"I obviously went through the process with CA and the WACA. I'm not missing anything, which is what allows me to take the opportunity," Stoinis said.
"From what I have seen, I will be able to play the round games but not the finals of that competition if (Sharjah) makes it.
"I'll come home when needed to play Shield cricket.
"It's going to be a strong competition with nine overseas players in each teams."
Stoinis has not played a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia since March 2020, having since been unavailable due to national white-ball duties or the IPL.
He was, however, at one stage in Australia's red-ball plans and went close to debuting in a Test against Sri Lanka in 2019.
Stoinis' decision to play in the UAE has prompted questions on whether more Australians could become targets for the rival league next year.
The recently-confirmed shorter BBL could open the door for several players to explore the option, given the Australian tournament will be finished by late January.
