Australia will consider asking the fatigued Mitchell Starc to return for one last -effort as it looks to draw on the spirit of the World Cup final in the ODI decider against -England at Old Trafford. 
Two losses on the trot have Australia on the brink of leaving the UK after three months of toil with absolutely nothing to show for it - and now -another agonising decision looms over whether to risk the game's No. 1 white ball bowler.
The strategy for managing Starc through this series couldn't have gone any worse, with injury to three stars and now stinging back-to-back -defeats ruining hopes of sending the overworked marathon man home early to rest.
His preparations for next month's tour of Bangladesh must now be the priority, as a piece of ODI silverware wouldn't compensate for the worst case scenario of a Starc breakdown.
However, the temptation to push Australia's prized commodity the extra mile is there because Australia's bowling - its strength at the World Cup - has been well below par this series.
Selectors will be wondering if a win is possible in Manchester with the wicket-less John Hastings and James Pattinson both in the attack.
The one shining light Pat Cummins, who took four in the three-wicket loss in Leeds on Friday, is certainly hopeful he'll be sharing the new ball with Starc in what shapes as another final for the World Cup champs.
"I've got no idea (but) he's still here so I hope he's going to be available for Sunday," said Cummins.
"Obviously it would be -pretty handy having the No. 1 bowler in the world back in our side."He's not on a flight so hopefully he's playing on Sunday."