So Pat Cummins' back injury looks set to sideline the Australian skipper for the early Ashes Tests, if not the whole series.
While English hopes will get a boost with the news, most Australians are comfortable knowing Scott Boland is tried, tested and waiting in the wings.
But is there genuine cause for concern?
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In the captaincy stakes, Steve Smith will assume the role and, while the baggage of his previous leadership ban in the wake of the Cape Town sandpaper scandal may still linger, there's no doubting his credentials and track record.
As for the bowling, Cummins is without a doubt one of the best in the world and the home side would dearly love to have him out there.
The 32-year-old has taken 177 Test wickets at an average of 19.92 in 38 matches on Australian soil, while his knack of breaking partnerships and dismissing the opposition's best batters is invaluable.
Fortunately, Boland is about as qualified a replacement as you'll find, with the Victorian more often than not the one to miss out despite a formidable record when given a chance.
In nine Tests at home, the 36-year-old has taken 49 wickets at an average of 12.63, including the iconic 6/7 against the English in the Boxing Day Test last time they were out here.
So, while it's a small(ish) sample size, ScoBo has the runs on the board, figuratively speaking, to step in if required.
When it comes to literal runs on the board, however, Boland doesn't quite have them.
He averages 8.3 in Tests, with a top score of 20.
Cummins' average, on the other hand, sits at 16.8 and he counts three Test match half centuries on his record.
His innings of 49 and 41 in the Boxing Day Test against India last year were crucial in that victory.
Without Cummins, Mitchell Starc will likely move up to bat at eight, followed by Nathan Lyon at nine, leaving Boland and Josh Hazlewood to raffle it off for the last position in what looks like an uncharacteristically long Australian tail.
Several more questions remain regarding Australia's batting order ahead of the first Test in Perth which begins on November 21.
Smith, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Alex Carey will be there, barring injury, while Cameron Green will most likely feature at home as well.
That leaves an opening position alongside Khawaja, and a middle-order batting spot up for grabs.
After 160 in Queensland's opening Sheffield Shield match, Marnus Labuschagne has put himself in the frame for a recall, possibly in a new position at the top of the order, while incumbent Beau Webster sat out Tasmania's first outing with an ankle injury.
The all-rounder is expected to get some Shield action under his belt before the Ashes.
Cummins' injury could help Webster's case for selection if the captain's absence tempts selectors into going with another seam-bowling option.
Alternatively, if Green and Webster are picked, that could give Australia enough additional overs to go with three dedicated bowlers and beef up the batting.
Much to ponder ahead of what should be a blockbuster series.