“I think the selectors have been talking about it”, said Smith after the match.

The main consideration has been fatigue. Australia’s fast bowlers were deployed much longer than was anticipated in the first Test, thanks to a spirited Pakistan fight-back. Smith’s perceived lack of confidence in spinner Nathan Lyon was probably due more to the fact that the Pakistanis, with their tails up, seemed to be handling him with relative ease – and they did, after all, claw their way to within 39 runs of an improbable win.

The other major factor has been the form of Nic Maddinson in his first two Tests. If the selectors have a dilemma, it’s because there is merit in the view that Maddinson needs to proceed to the next Test without the burden of thinking he’s under pressure.

Still, Mitch Marsh is, according to Smith, back in the mix if Australia’s frontline bowlers pull up lame, sore or fatigued. "They are going to be put on ice over the next couple of days and try to get back a bit of energy and whatever soreness they have to get rid of that. I think an all-rounder will be talked about."