Western Australia will consider unleashing Mitch Marsh as a Sheffield Shield opener as the veteran closes in on his long-awaited red-ball return.
Marsh will play for WA in their One Day Cup clash with Victoria in Melbourne on Tuesday.
But his big comeback will come later that week, when he lines up against the Vics in a Shield clash, starting Thursday.
Marsh hasn't featured in red-ball cricket since playing in the Boxing Day Test against India almost a year ago.
But with the 34-year-old an outside chance to earn a call-up for the Ashes as a swashbuckling opener, Marsh will play in the Shield in a bid to show his wares in the red-ball game.
Marsh has been in hot white-ball form for Australia.
And with Usman Khawaja under all sorts of pressure to hold his spot in the Test team, there are growing calls for either Travis Head, Marsh or Josh Inglis to open.
Marsh hasn't been selected in the extended Ashes squad for the second Test in Brisbane, but an impressive Shield display could thrust him into the mix for the third Test in Adelaide, starting December 17.
Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft normally open for WA in Shield games, but coach Adam Voges left the door ajar for Marsh to take on the opener role.
"I think that's an ongoing discussions from our side of things," Voges said.
"He fits in, it's a matter of where. We've got some ideas, but we'll thrash them out.
"Whiteman, Bancroft has been a solid opening partnership for a long period of time, so whether we want to break that up or not, we'll just work through.
"I know there's been a lot of talk around Mitch and potential involvement in the Ashes, but I think we're just really pleased to have him in WA colours this week for the One Day Cup and then the Shield game afterwards."
Voges says Marsh will be under no restrictions when he is unleashed this week, but the veteran is unlikely to bowl given he has been playing as a batter-only as late.
