The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the game's indefinite suspension because of it resulted in heavy losses and forced Cricket Australia (CA) to announce 80 per cent lay off for all its staff until the end of June. 

Now, even as travelling restrictions have begun to be eased, it is understood the board could take further cost-cutting measures to help it continue to tackle this phase. 

Those further measures could possibly include reducing the number of support staff members around the national side. 

Read Also: Steve Smith happy with his fitness as Australian players resume training 

Steve Smith, the former skipper and the team's best batsman, however, said it is something players are already wary of and willing to help each other out in that eventuality. 

"Particularly the senior players being able to maybe take a bit of time off your own game and help someone else out at training or something like that," Reuters quoted Smith as saying, as he resumed training on Monday (June 1) alongside some of his teammates. 

“They (support staff) all have a role to play, particularly as the game evolved and got more professional," he added. "We’ve got people in different areas of expertise to help the team prepare and get ready to play."

"Guys might have to throw to one of the other batsmen or help out the bowlers in some way. If that happens, it will take a bit of adjusting."

In a different matter, Smith believes the imminent ban on usage of saliva could disrupt the balance between the bat and the ball. 

"I’ve always been one for a fair contest between bat and ball. Even as a batsman if that’s taken away (maintaining shine via saliva), I don’t think that’s great," he said.

"I actually spit on my hands most balls and that’s how I get grip and stuff. So that might take some adjusting to certain things like that."

(Inputs from Reuters)