BRISBANE, Aug 25: Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist expect some tough questions to be answered during a frenetic nine-month examination of Australia’s Test and one-day cricket sides.

Australian limited-overs captain Ponting, who will interchange the leadership with Test skipper Steve Waugh, was buoyant about Australia’s long-term future on the eve of his team’s departure for a triangular series against Pakistan and host Kenya and next month’s 12-nation ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

During the next nine months Australia will also play three Tests against Pakistan, host an Ashes series against England and a triangular one-day series against England and Sri Lanka before defending its World Cup title in South Africa in February. The Australians will then tour the West Indies.

“It’s up to all of us to improve as individuals to make sure when the bigger tournaments come round that we are playing well and performing at our best,” Ponting told reporters.

Gilchrist said there would be plenty of opportunities for young players to make statements to the selectors before the World Cup.

“There’s no hiding that some careers are coming towards an end,” said the Test vice-captain.—AFP