Steve Smith remembers the start of summer well.
Preparing for his first Test since being appointed skipper, Smith was peppered with questions.
About his team in transition, the most inexperienced XI to start a home summer since 1987.
About life after Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson et al.
About a batting order that was allegedly fragile.
New Zealand had landed in Brisbane and were being talked up by good judges as a genuine threat.
Australia haven't lost a Test since - winning six of eight to be crowned the best team in the world at Christchurch.
Their attack has fired despite Mitchell Starc's injury and the retirements of Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.
But the run-gluttons have truly dictated terms, breaking records and scoring runs with the sort of regularity and spread that never existed under Clarke.
Australia have scored 19 Test tons in that stretch.
Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja, called up after Clarke and Rogers retired, nailed down their place in the XI at home.
Centuries in New Zealand showed their true value to the side.
"I was confident with the guys who were coming in that they'd do the job," Smith said.
"Big hundreds are what put your team in a very good position.
"I've been really pleased with the way the guys have been able to get through tough periods.
"Guys have been willing to do the hard yards and bat for long periods, which I guess is the most pleasing thing from my aspect."
Burns was named man of the match in Christchurch, his career-best 170 on day two having changed the course of the second trans-Tasman Test.
And yet prior to the squad being named for the Gabba Test, many pundits were tipping he'd be overlooked for Cameron Bancroft.
Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland commended the players and coaches involved in delivering the No.1 Test ranking.
But Sutherland added that national selectors also deserve praise.
"Their roles are heavily scrutinised but they have performed a difficult role with great effect," Sutherland said.
Burns noted he felt he is in career-best form.
"I wanted to bat for as long as I could .. it's very satisfying to make runs against such a strong opposition," Burns said.
Smith observed that Burns "played beautifully to get a big hundred and really set the game up".
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