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Australia's three-match one-day series in India is three years out from the next 50-over World Cup, but there is still plenty to watch out for.
KEY TALKING POINTS FOR AUSTRALIA'S TOUR OF INDIA
AUSTRALIA'S TOP ORDER V JASPRIT BUMRAH
Aaron Finch's nemesis from last summer Bhuvenshwar Kumar is out due to a groin injury, but Jasprit Bumrah looms large. Bumrah destroyed Australia last summer in the Tests with 21 wickets at an average of 17 and could trouble the tourists with his ability to swing the ball. The Aussies relied on their top-order going big at the last World Cup and they'll want to do likewise in the three-match series.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE'S DEBUT
Labuschagne is in line to become Australia's 229th one-day cricketer with a debut likely this week. The 25-year-old dominated the Test summer with 896 runs at an average of 112, but he is yet to play any white-ball cricket for Australia. The country's newest batting sensation has performed in domestic one-day cricket before, but will face a tough environment for his maiden international series.
ONE EYE ON THE TWENTY20S
Every one-dayer this year will be played with one eye on the home Twenty20 World Cup in October. Almost all of Australia's T20 squad are in India for this series, with the one notable exception the axed Glenn Maxwell. The Aussies' batting is unlikely to be as explosive in the 50-over game, but performances in any one-dayers this year will help push the case of any fringe players.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2023
The next 50-over World Cup is on the sub-continent, with India hosting the 2023 event. Australia have failed to reach the semi-finals of the tournament just once in the past 25 years, when they struggled on the dry Asian wickets in 2011. Their one-day performances in the region are otherwise sound, but they are already looking for the formula for success in three years' time.
NEXT SUMMER
More immediately, the two teams will clash again next summer for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia's Test captain Tim Paine has already admitted to having one eye on the contest, after India's historic victory Down Under last year. Both teams have dominated their respective opponents in all formats this summer, and are ready for the heavyweight battle.
ANDREW McDONALD IN CHARGE
Australia's assistant coach will get the chance to take charge of the national team for the first time this week. McDonald only joined Australia's staff two months ago, but is already seen as a potential future leader. The Victorian completed the domestic triple last year by winning the Sheffield Shield, one-day cup and Big Bash, while he also has experience in both India and England.