Australia's international players are in line for a bonus of nearly $1.75 million if they can topple South Africa as the No.1 team in Test cricket, while also retaining their status as the world's premier one-day international side.
And a $1.38 million pay day beckons for Cricket Australia if Steve Smith's men return to the top of the Test rankings. 
While the historic day-night Test in Adelaide is likely to prove the climax of the Test summer, there is still plenty on the line for Australia's cricketers heading into what is traditionally the game's busiest period.
The No.1 Test ranking is back up for grabs after South Africa's failure in India, and Australia are firmly in the hunt just months after they surrendered the Ashes.
South Africa's 3-0 series loss in the subcontinent has brought the Proteas back to the field, resulting in their lead cut from 16 points to just four. That the Proteas could fall from the top despite losing just two series since 2009 highlights both the vagaries of the ICC rankings system and the evenness of international cricket where teams struggle to win on the road.
Australia's destiny is not entirely in their own hands. They would need the Old Enemy to do them a favour by at least drawing their four-Test series in South Africa, which is not beyond England, who have undergone a resurgence under Trevor Bayliss.
Australia's end of the bargain is very achievable. They must first whitewash the West Indies, who are not expected to provide much competition, then win the series across the Tasman against New Zealand, whom they beat 2-0 earlier this season.
That would ensure Australia finish the   April 1 cutoff period on top and collect the International Cricket Council's Test Championship mace. CA also collect a $US1 million cheque ($1.38 million), which goes into Australia's cricket revenue, of which the players are entitled to a share of 26 per cent or roughly $360,000.
The $1.75 million pool consists of payments of $770,500 and $310,500 respectively for finishing on top of the Test and ODI standings, plus bonuses in excess of $600,000 for series and Test wins.
The $770,500 Test prize for Australia's players was part of cash incentives agreed to in a five-year memorandum of understanding between the Australian Cricketers' Association and CA signed in 2012.
The scheme was struck after the Argus report which recommended players be financially rewarded for success, though players have always maintained they are not driven by money.
Players also stand to gain more than $55,000 each if Australia beat the Windies 3-0 and win both Tests in New Zealand, the sum made up of a bonus of $5400 per Test win and $14,163 for a series victory against a team not ranked in the top four.
The carrots come on top of the $600,000 prizemoney shared on a pro rata basis among squad members for the three Tests against New Zealand. The inflated pool was a sweetener for player support for the day-night Test.
The home summer will finish with a battle between the world's top two ranked one-day sides - Australia and India. Australia, the reigning World Cup champions, hold a 13-point lead so would need to lose heavily to be in danger of losing the No.1 ranking.