It shapes as an enormous logistical exercise and one that would need approval at federal government level. Players and officials would have to be flown in from England,South Africa,West Indies,Pakistan,New Zealand,Afghanistan,India,Sri Lanka,Ireland,Oman,Papua New Guinea,Bangladesh,Namibia,the Netherlands and Scotland.

Australia is currently off limits to non-citizens and non-residents but cricket authorities hope there will be a loosening of the restrictions later in the year,even if it is to allow just select arrivals in.

That scenario also assumes that Australia itself is,by October,back to something more closely resembling normal life,with interstate travel resuming and restrictions on mass gatherings hopefully having been loosened.

The reason is there is an intense schedule of 45 matches around the country from mid-October to mid-November,with venues and hotels already booked. The bubble scenario being mapped out by the National Rugby League to resume its seasons is not considered a genuine option for the World Cup.