Justin Langer only has eyes on May 18, with the national cricket coach keen to see which players emerge from isolation as the hungriest and most resilient.
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Hundreds of Cricket Australia employees have been hit in the hip pocket by recent cost-cutting measures, with the vast majority stood down for the rest of the financial year.
Langer, who describes himself as a "full-time coach on part-time pay", is comfortably the most high profile of those affected, but believes the shutdown may present a chance to recalibrate Australian cricket.
As CA's talks with the players' association and state associations regarding cuts continue, Langer looms as a crucial figure in the sport's attempt to rebuild from the current crisis.
Langer has been regularly tuning in and offering feedback during CA chief executive Kevin Roberts' video-call catch-ups with staff, while also staying in touch with players and helping to plot a path through uncertainty about scheduling, support staff and so much more.
"We've got to keep moving the ship in the right direction ... our guys come back off their leave on May 18," Langer told ABC Grandstand.
"We've got to make sure they're all in tip-top condition. I actually can't wait to see how they come back without all the bells and whistles ... it's going to be a really good indication of the hungry, self-resilient and self-reliant players."
Tim Paine's team would ordinarily be assembling in Brisbane later this month, seeking to shake off some rust before flying to Bangladesh for a two-Test tour.
That series has been postponed and it is unclear when Australia will next assemble as a squad.
Questions also abound about what CA's high-performance and pathway programs will look like when the dust settles and states agree on a new funding arrangement.
There are fears that under-age national carnivals could be affected, likewise the national second XI competition.
"It wasn't that long ago that we prided ourselves on having an amazing club-cricket system that fed into state domestic cricket, which fed into the best of the best playing for Australia," Langer said.
"I see it as an amazing opportunity. I can see it actually going back that way.
"More emphasis back on club cricket, more emphasis on state cricket then get the best of the best in Australia. That would be my vision for the next five years."
Australian Associated Press
