Glenn Maxwell says he's entering a critical phase of his career as he aims to finally lock down a spot in Australia's Test side under new coach Justin Langer.
The mercurial allrounder is eyeing off an Australia A tour of India in August as an opportunity to put his name forward for Test selection.
Australia will play Tests against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates later this year, with the tour likely to be held in September or October.
Langer has forecast that the preceding Australia A tour will act as a batting audition for the Pakistan series with spots up for grabs in the absence of suspended trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Each of Maxwell's seven career Tests have been played in the subcontinent.
The 29-year-old scored his maiden Test century during last year's tour of India before also taking part in the tour of Bangladesh.
"From a personal point of view, this is a big part of my career where there are some opportunities in all three teams to really solidify my position for hopefully the rest of my career and really make a stand to take a spot and make it my own," Maxwell told SEN radio on Wednesday.
"With the Test side, I'm looking at Dubai later in the year where I can really make one of those batting positions my own and (then) hopefully play my first Test on Australian soil and really hold my spot from there.
"There is obviously a bit of work to do in India for an A tournament in August which I'm hoping to be on and put some big numbers up while I'm there."
Maxwell, who averages 41.07 in first-class cricket, was overlooked during the summer Ashes series despite scoring a career-best 278 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.
The innings earned high praise at the time from Langer, who lauded Maxwell's improved temperament and suggested he should be in the mix for Test selection.
Maxwell will link up with Australia's one-day squad this weekend when they gather for a pre-tour camp in Brisbane.
Australia play five ODIs in England next month before heading to Zimbabwe for a Twenty20 tri-series also involving Pakistan, with Maxwell named in both squads.
Australian Associated Press
