Test trio Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw are set to line up in the Brisbane Heat's Big Bash knockout final against the Melbourne Renegades despite Khawaja's hesitation to confirm his availability after their sudden-death defeat of the Sydney Thunder.
Khawaja, Labuschagne and Renshaw are all flying out to India with the Test squad on Tuesday but earlier this week, the BBL told AAP they would be available for one last finals game on Sunday pending qualification.
After starring in the first game of the finals series, though, Khawaja said he could not confirm whether he would make himself free for the follow-up clash.
Playing would have meant three flights in as many days, given the Test team is required at the Allan Border Medal in Sydney the night after the match against the Renegades in Melbourne. It would also have meant forgoing a golden opportunity to rest up before a gruelling subcontinent tour.
"We're obviously going away for six-and-a-half weeks," Khawaja told reporters on Friday night.
"There's a lot happening right now."
Renshaw only played one Test match over the summer so had not appeared in as much doubt as Khawaja and Labuschagne, who both featured in all five.
Khawaja and Labuschagne posted crucial knocks of 94 and 73 against the Thunder so would have been major losses for the Heat if they ruled themselves out of the match against the Renegades.
But after discussions with Heat coach Wade Seccombe, the Test trio were named in the squad to travel to Marvel Stadium and will be available for selection.
"Uz and Marn batted beautifully the other night and we're delighted to have them stick with the group for another match before they go to India,'' Seccombe said in a statement.
With the Thunder eliminated and his BBL cameo over, David Warner now has extra time at home before flying out for what is set to be his last Test tour of India.
He would not reveal whether he would have played against the Renegades in the knockout final had the Thunder progressed, but saw no reason his Test teammates at the Heat wouldn't.
"I don't have to answer that question now," Warner joked on Friday night.
"The Heat boys, it's good for Australian cricket that those guys are here and they're having that opportunity to play.
"With their momentum tonight, there's no reason why they wouldn't play."
