There is a renewed focus on 'character over cover drives' as Justin Langer and the team head to the UAE to face the mercurial Pakistan.

Australia is put to the test by cricket powerhouse, India, and India's fiercely competitive captain, Virat Kholi.

With the series level at 1-1 entering the biggest date on the cricket calendar (the Boxing Day Test), the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is still up for grabs.

Australia head to India for a five-match one-day series, but captain Aaron Finch is in a form slump and must prove to his coach and teammates he has what it takes.

Having served their 12-month bans for ball tampering, Steve Smith and David Warner re-join the Australian squad ahead of a team-galvanizing trip to Gallipoli.

Justin Langer and the Australians set their sights on cricket's ultimate prize, the Ashes urn.

The Australians continue their charge against England and prove they are a force to be reckoned with.