They would be cricket's version of a tennis "lucky loser", but Hong Kong's cricketers are ready should they be needed to replace the West Indies at next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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The Windies players are embroiled in a bitter contractual dispute that last week led to the team pulling out mid-tour in India.
While the World Cup does not begin until February, it remains unclear whether a resolution can be reached before the tournament.
That is where Hong Kong comes in. As the final team eliminated earlier this year in the World Cup qualifying event, Hong Kong is the obvious next cab off the rank should the 1975 and 1979 world champion not front up.
"It's out of [the ICC's] control, it's out of our control as well. I mean, if we were given a spot at next year's World Cup, we'd grab it with both hands," said Hong Kong coach Charlie Burke.
"It's not the best situation or the best circumstances to be in a World Cup, but then again it's a dream for every single player for my squad.
"We haven't spoken to anyone, no one's spoken to us as yet, but we've heard rumours saying that could happen and they might pull out.
"We've got a really talented group of young men. The biggest thing now for us is trying to get as much level competition as we can."
The Hong Kong Cricket Association has not been contacted by the International Cricket Council about any contingency plans.
Adding to the West Indies Cricket Board's worries is the possibility of a colossal legal bill after the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Tuesday it would "initiate legal proceedings".
Reports estimated the lost earnings stemming from the cancellation of a one-day international, Twenty20 and three Tests could be $US65 million ($70 million).
The WICB has released a statement in which the board expresses "sorrow" for the situation, requests a meeting with the BCCI and announces the establishment of a taskforce of "critical stakeholders" to determine why the tour ended prematurely.
The dispute is related to an impasse between West Indies players and their union over a business agreement and memorandum of understanding signed in September.
The WICB also attempted "to assure Cricket South Africa that it will use its best endeavours to ensure a successful tour of South Africa as scheduled".
The Windies tour South Africa for three Tests starting in December. There was no mention of the World Cup in the statement. The 14-team tournament begins on February 14.
