The questions marks hanging over Andrew Symonds' troubled international career do not look like being resolved any time soon after Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland admitted the all-rounder may be 'lost to the team'.
Symonds, 33, was sent home from the Australia squad last week on the eve of its one-day international series with Bangladesh after he opted to go fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting.
The decision to expel Symonds was made by the Australia team's senior players who Sutherland said want an 'absolutely committed' Symonds in their side ahead of a busy 12 months for the world champions.
Australia is due to travel to India later this month for a four-Test series before a jam-packed fixture list that will give the players little time to rest before next year's Ashes series in England.
And, amid growing speculation that Symonds will opt not to re-join the team during that period, Sutherland admitted the two-time World Cup winner may not play for Australia again.
"I don't think that's impossible," Sutherland told ABC Radio.
"I think the message the Australian players have sent is that we want Andrew Symonds in our team, but we want Andrew Symonds absolutely committed and wanting to be there. They're really asking him that question."
"If he can't answer that question, it may well be that he's lost to the team."
He added: "There were obviously things going on within the team and they're very conscious of the huge programme they've got coming up with a very important series against India, a big summer against South Africa and an Ashes series next year."
"They see that the opportunity for him to rehabilitate himself and get himself right is probably only here and now because once they get on the road, it's going to be really hard for them."
Symonds has courted the headlines this year after his on-field dispute with India spinner Harbhajan Singh in January, before he was the most vocal of the Australian players to raise concerns about touring Pakistan.
The Queenslander's on-field abilities have, however, never been doubted, highlighted by the fact the Deccan Chargers spent $US1.3million to acquire his services at the Indian Premier League auction - making him the highest-valued foreign player.
That has fuelled further speculation Symonds will opt for the riches of the IPL, by honouring his Chargers contract instead of embarking on Australia's punishing schedule.
Symonds has remained silent on the issue since being sent home last week and Sutherland, who has yet to speak to the player, refused to speculate on the matter.
"It's hard to say. He only played in the IPL for two weeks," Sutherland said.
"Really I think there are a whole lot of factors and without Andrew sitting down and talking through some of his issues I don't think anyone really knows the answer to how he's been affected."