Captain Ricky Ponting says Australia, already in white-hot form, are brimming with enthusiasm for the upcoming Tests against Pakistan in Australia's two major cities, Melbourne and Sydney.
"It's an exciting time of the year. This is a big Test match for us," Ponting told reporters before the second Test, which starts in Melbourne on Sunday before an expected crowd of 60,000.
"The next two are probably the most exciting Test matches for us to play for the year."
The three-Test series concludes with a match in Sydney starting on January 2. Australia won the first Test in Perth last week by 491 runs, the fourth-highest winning runs margin in Test history.
"I expect us to play as well as we played last week," Ponting said.
Pakistan, led by paceman Shoaib Akhtar who took five for 99, had Australia in trouble at 78 for five in their first innings. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist (69) and opener Justin Langer (191) then put Australia in control by adding 152 for the sixth wicket.
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"That happened in Perth and that's the difference between this side and most."
World Cup-winning skipper Ponting, who has 83 Test caps, took over from Steve Waugh in March in Sri Lanka.
"This is a very good side and continues to amaze most people, how convincingly we have won some games of late," he said.
"Pakistan still might do that (test us) over the next couple of weeks."
Australia have won nine of their 13 Tests this year, with three draws and one loss to India.
"For me personally, it's been a little bit frustrating with the bat (failing to add to his 20 Test centuries)," Ponting said.
"I have another couple of innings now before the year is up so hopefully I can make them good ones and the year won't be as bad as it could have been."
