The Bushrangers have their eye on England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff as a potential replacement for Muttiah Muralidaran for their forthcoming domestic Twenty20 campaign should Murali become unavailable because of international duties.
Murali, the all-time leading wicket-taker in Test and ODI cricket, was recently announced as Victoria's marquee signing for the Twenty20 Big Bash which runs from December 28 through to late January 2010.
But the prospect that Sri Lanka may contest a tri-series with India and Bangladesh early in the New Year has cast doubt over the 37-year-old's availability.
Coach Greg Shipperd denied on Thursday the Bushrangers had been caught short by the potential clash of schedules.
"We were aware, you do have a futures tour program and it (the sub-continental tri-series) was there," said Shipperd.
"But with the flexibility of tours being pulled out and put back in, I think we took an educated risk to name him now and if it comes off then we've certainly lost nothing."
"If he's unavailable then certainly we'll go looking for an adequate replacement and there'll be lots out there."
Asked whether England superstar Andrew Flintoff, who has retired from Test cricket to concentrate on the shorter forms of the game, would be a potential target, Shipperd said: "Every player that's playing at the moment that's fit and available would be a possibility for us."
"Murali's obviously our first choice but Flintoff as well would be welcome in any team across the world."
"Victoria is well-known for its strategy and we have lots of plans behind the scenes."
Leading Bushrangers batsman Brad Hodge said he was keen to play alongside Murali and was hopeful that he's able to come as planned.
"Murali is a great player and everyone in the Victorian camp is looking forward to his arrival," said Hodge.
"He's a great human being, a lovely person and obviously a tremendous spin bowler."
"The Victorian Bushrangers, if he can get here, we'll certainly look forward to him being here."
The Bushrangers are expecting exciting all-rounder Dwayne Bravo to be available for the Twenty20 Big Bash regardless of whether he's selected in the West Indies touring party to play three Tests in the lead-up to Christmas and the ODI Commonwealth Bank Series in February.
Bravo was secured in June as the first of Victoria's two overseas signings for its domestic Twenty20 campaign.
Should the arrangement with Murali fall through, the Bushrangers have until December 24 to recruit a second overseas player.
Two other Sri Lankan players have been signed-up to compete in the Twenty20 Big Bash, Lasith Malinga for Tasmania and Ajantha Mendis for South Australia.