The Ashes might not start until June 2013, but everything Australia has done this past year has been with one eye on the urn.

Michael Clarke’s troops appear to be in a state of flux at the moment, but still have time to polish up a team capable of winning back cricket’s oldest prize from England.

Australia have had their ups and downs of late.

But the Ashes are their end goal – and that’s what they will be judged on.

THE YEAR THAT WAS: Australia went within a whisker of stealing the world No.1 Test ranking from South Africa, but the end result proved Clarke’s men are a world away.

South Africa weren’t always at their best but, when the series and their No.1 seeding went on the line in the Perth Test, they turned up the heat and exposed Australia’s many weaknesses.

The most telling moment in Australia’s biggest series of 2012 was when they failed to finish the job against the vulnerable Proteas in the second Test in Adelaide.

Needing just six wickets on day five, Australia’s wounded attack couldn’t penetrate and South Africa secured a morale-boosting draw.

They used the fighting effort as a platform to flick the switch in Perth.

England’s resounding series win over India in the sub-continent has them as the world No.2, with Australia in third spot.

Overall, Australia made positive strides this year.

They beat India and the West Indies in Tests, and have put themselves in a strong position against Sri Lanka in the current series.

In the ICC world Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, Australia powered into the semi-finals of the tournament before losing to eventual champions the West Indies.

MICHAEL CLARKE: Captaincy has brought the best out in Clarke, but there’s pressure on the prolific batsman to assume further responsibility in the Australian line-up.

In 2012, Clarke became the first batsman in history to score four double centuries in a calendar year – and that included a triple hundred against India at the SCG in January.

But with Australia’s batting order struggling for cohesion leading into next year’s all-important Ashes campaign, the question is whether Australia can afford the world’s No.1 batsman to continue batting at No.5.

There are risks associated with changing a good thing, and Clarke is in rare form at No.5.

But he has the skills to do the job at No.3 or, at the very least, No.4 if he’s prepared to take the leap of faith.

In regards to his captaincy, Clarke has shown himself to be bold, innovative and positive.

The 1-0 loss to South Africa was his first series defeat since taking the helm in mid-2011.

RICKY PONTING: It was a sad but, in many ways, fitting way for Ricky Ponting to exit Test cricket in Perth.

The nation’s greatest batsman since Bradman made just four and eight in the match and Australia were crushed into the WACA dirt by South Africa.

But for a man who wanted to get every last second out of his career, this was the way it had to end.

Against the No.1 Proteas, he came to the realisation that he was no longer up to Test level, and that was always going to provide better closure for a no-nonsense man like Ponting than a flowery fairytale.

Ponting leaves the game as Test cricket’s highest run-scorer behind Sachin Tendulkar, and only the Indian master leads him on the overall list for most Test matches.

The Tasmanian is the ‘most winningest’ Australian captain in history.

He failed to make it to the Ashes as he had hoped, but Ponting has no regrets because he knew there was no more he could give. He still leaves a massive void.

BATTING ORDER: Michael Clarke’s best position in the order might be open for debate, but he’s the least of Australia’s worries when it comes to the batting line-up.

Openers Ed Cowan and David Warner have shown good signs in isolation, but have struggled to gel as a partnership – managing just two century partnerships in their first 19 innings together.

At the moment, Warner is too hit and miss.

More often than not, he’s getting out cheaply and exposing the middle order.

Cowan has a great attitude and has worked hard to improve his game.

But despite a maiden century in Brisbane against South Africa and a couple of 50s, Cowan hasn’t yet made the opening position his own.

Recalled batsman Phil Hughes is getting his chance at No.3 against Sri Lanka but, given the left-hander is normally an opener, it’s far too early to say whether he’s there to stay at first drop.

Vice-captain Shane Watson also presents an interesting conundrum for Australia going forward. The allrounder is potentially one of the most valuable cricketers in the world.

But there are major drawbacks.

Watson is so rarely fit that his coming and going can be disruptive for the team.

With the bat, he’s yet to cement a position and has been unable to break the concerning trend of being unable to convert starts into big scores at Test level.

Wicketkeeper Matt Wade has plenty of ability with the bat, but must improve his temperament, particularly behind the stumps, if he’s to keep the wolves from the door.

Sadly, Clarke and an ageing Mike Hussey are the only batting certainties for the Ashes.

BOWLING: The potential is enormous, but Australia can’t seem to keep their bowling attack fit and firing at the same time.

James Pattinson and Pat Cummins (back) have all the attributes to star against England, but the problem is keeping them on the park.

Josh Hazlewood (foot) is another emerging quick on the injury list, while the more experienced Ben Hilfenhaus (side), John Hastings (shoulder) and Ryan Harris (back) have also had differing degrees of injury this summer.

NSW youngster Cummins hasn’t played a Test since his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.

Pattinson (side strain) has established himself well on the international stage, but has spent far too much time on the sidelines.

Together, they’re meant to be the future of the attack.

Cricket Australia general manager of performance Pat Howard has said the attrition rate isn’t good enough, and a review is underway to improve the maintenance of fast bowlers.

Injuries are part of the game, but Australia can ill afford the same turnover rate to continue during an Ashes series.

Over the past 12 months, lion-hearted quick Peter Siddle announced himself as the leader of the attack.

Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc have shown positive signs.

But the clock is ticking and Australia must start to find the right mix.

Unless Shane Warne follows through with murmurs of a Test comeback, then Nathan Lyon is still the No.1 spinner, although cracks are appearing.

Against South Africa and in the first Test against Sri Lanka, he failed to clean up crucial second-innings wickets he was expected to take and is not yet a match-winner.