There are also mechanisms in place whereby the two groups could have cut through the red tape, given the life-limiting nature of Poppy's condition, though these regulations are more commonly invoked when someone is in the final months of an illness such as cancer.
"Mark Ealham can provide more variation to our bowling attack as a swing bowler, but our final choice of line-up will depend on our assessment of the pitch and the weather condition, " explained chairman of selectors David Graveney.