Australia's players have set themselves the lofty goal of not only regaining the No.1 Test ranking by the end of the summer but staying there long term.
And David Warner's motivation to star in the Test arena at home is a major reason Australia's most marketable Twenty20 player may not be seen in the Big Bash for a while yet.
Australia's quest to return to the pinnacle of world cricket will inject much-needed interest to a Boxing Day Test that has been robbed of much of its box office appeal by a substandard West Indies team. 
Australia can reach the summit by the end of this summer provided Steve Smith's men can, as expected, whitewash the Windies then defeat New Zealand away.
But they also need England to at least draw with South Africa in their four-Test series, which though difficult is not insurmountable given the Proteas' recent poor fortunes and the improvement the Old Enemy have made under Trevor Bayliss.
That Australia could reclaim the No.1 ranking so soon after its Ashes capitulation at Trent Bridge will raise questions about the credibility of the ICC's rankings system. Nor is pummelling the Windies anyone's idea of a litmus test.
That said, third-placed Australia currently hold series victories over three of the top five, including the top two nations South Africa and India.
"We've got a big job at hand, our goal is to be No.1 in all three formats, we know we've got a Test series here and in New Zealand to achieve No.1 status," Warner said. "Things have to play in our hands with SA and England series."
The pain remains: Stuart Broad leaves Trent Bridge after claiming 8-15 against Australia. Photo: AP
Australia lost top spot in 2009 for the first time since the ICC's rankings were introduced in 2003 and have held the position only briefly since - for three months last year. Otherwise, the Proteas have been top dog since   August 2012.
Matching their longevity will be Australia's aim - if they get there. Holding their ground will not be easy judging by their schedule over the next 18 months, which includes a potential grand final showdown with South Africa next summer, a home series against the much-improved Pakistan and a daunting trip to India in early 2017 to atone for the sins of 2013.
Warner accepts that to be a genuine No.1 Australia will need to address the weaknesses with bat and ball that were cruelly exposed in the Ashes, and improving their record abroad.
"Biggest thing for us is batting in partnerships and not losing wickets in clumps as a batting unit," Warner said. "We've spoken about that in the last 12-18 months, that's something we really need to work harder and adapt to all the conditions we face, whether it's here or away.
"The same with the bowlers, it's hitting their line and lengths early with the new ball and when the ball gets older it's about bowling in partnerships which is back- to- back maidens. 
"Once you get to No.1 it's about staying there. That's something South Africa have done really well in the last two years and they set the benchmark in world cricket."
Warner is shunning the BBL for the second year in a row so he can avoid falling into the trap of being in Twenty20 mode during a Test.
It also gives Warner, who plays all three formats for Australia, rare time off. The opener was dismissed cheaply twice during the 2013 Boxing Day Test just days after playing for the Sydney Thunder.
"I was in Twenty20 mode, I felt that really hindered my preparation and I didn't want to have that again," Warner, who has scored a Test ton at every Australian venue apart from the MCG, said. 
"That's genuinely the reason why I'm not playing Big Bash. I'm not here to sit and tell everyone that's what they should do, everyone has their own way of preparing for games and some like to play the Big Bash. I would like to play the Big Bash but for me it's about getting preparation right to deliver on Boxing Day."