Hot on the heels of the announcement of Australian cricket's 25 centrally contracted players for the next year, the international schedule for that period is now available. From the plans released this week, every one of those 25 players - and more besides - are likely to be required to satisfy a punishing calendar containing eight consecutive months of international action, across three formats, three continents and against four different opponents.

That's without even factoring in the Australian ‘A' side and domestic commitments, including the new, lucrative Big Bash League.

If all that sounds arduous for the players, it also places a significant responsibility on the Australian cricket-watching public. Particularly at the back-end of the summer, during what will be at least a 14-game triangular tournament involving India and Sri Lanka. Cricket Australia has optimistically suggested fans will be, "spoilt for choice," but it wouldn't take the world's greatest cynic to suggest the schedule is as packed as possible to maximise the presence of India, world cricket's intensively-farmed cash cow.

Whether momentum can be sustained throughout the summer to guarantee bums on seats for the final round-robin fixture of the triangular series at the MCG on March 2 remains to be seen. However, the sub-continental appetite for the game is such that gate revenue is unlikely to have been the strongest motivating factor in the decision.

The marathon begins in Sri Lanka in August. Two T20s, followed by five ODIs and three tests will take Australia from August 6 through to September 20. A short break precedes two T20s, three ODIs and two Tests in South Africa, a tour that also takes in a four-day fixture against South Africa ‘A'. Australia will be in Africa from October 13 to November 21.

A much shorter turnaround of just nine days buffers the next series, a home two-Test encounter with New Zealand. A further two-week window insulates the summer's main event, a four-Test series against currently the strongest side going around, India. At the end of that, the competing sides have a couple of days in which to draw breath before competing in two T20s and a triangular ODI tournament in which they will be joined by Sri Lanka. This is scheduled to run until March 8 and last for up to 15 games.

Phew. Got all that?

With the Australian side in a rebuilding phase ahead of the 2013 Ashes, the next year will be vital in the development of the side. After the ruthless dropping of Simon Katich, pressure will be on veterans Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey to deliver the weight of runs on the field and experience off it to justify their retention. It also provides a comprehensive assessment of the credentials of the young players bubbling under. Coping with the slow turning pictures of Sri Lanka and immediately backing up in the hostile altitude of South Africa will be especially testing on both technique and fortitude.

Because Australia is (or should be) restructuring over the coming months, results need not necessarily be the yardstick for success. Clearly the next incarnation of the side is being built around captain, Michael Clarke, and vice captain, Shane Watson. Strategically, the National Selection Panel must be hoping this period also throws up two or three more stars that can be inked in as starters for the 2013 Ashes and beyond. To do this, the likes of Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Phil Hughes, Callum Ferguson, Tim Paine, James Pattinson and Patrick Cummins will need extended periods in the side to prove themselves at the highest level.

One of the obvious drawbacks of such a congested itinerary is the lack of domestic cricket any of the centrally contracted 25 will play this year, and the lack of opportunities for Shield cricketers to press their claims for international recognition. As the likes of Brad Hodge, Andrew McDonald and James Hopes found to their cost last year, with so much international cricket taking place, opportunities for selectors to take notice of domestic performances are limited.

Interestingly, during this period Australia is likely to start in the unfamiliar position of underdog in three of the four Test series. Currently ranked fifth in the ICC Test Championship, they come up against fourth-placed Sri Lanka, second-placed South Africa and top dogs India. Only against eighth-placed New Zealand in December will the Australians expect to fill their boots. Great Australian sides of the past have been built with a backs-against-the-wall mentality - it is time for another to do the same.