Life after Test opener Chris Rogers has made a bright start for Australia in the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday - eventually.
Queensland's Joe Burns looked like a man sweating on his Test career on Thursday when he took 20 balls to get off the mark in Brisbane.
But Burns - and national selectors - were no doubt breathing easier by the time he strode off the Gabba with a well-compiled Test high of 71.
Burns was a surprise selection as Test opener with Western Australia's Cameron Bancroft considered in the box seat ahead of the trans-Tasman series.
And Bancroft would have fancied his chances again as a nervous Burns was almost bowled by Tim Southee second ball before poking around for more than three overs.
And Burns almost ran himself out on four.
However, he regained his composure to notch his third straight Test half-century - albeit 11 months after his last sighting in the baggy green.
Burns was dropped after January's fourth Test against India despite stroking back-to-back 50s in the middle order in Sydney, missing the 2015 Ashes tour.
And nothing looked like changing for Burns when Rogers announced his post-Ashes retirement, with Bancroft tipped to debut against New Zealand.
However, selectors believed the stage was set for Burns to stake a Test opener claim at the Gabba.
And in the end, Burns showed why he has averaged 62.70 as Queensland opener since being promoted to the top of the order in 2013.
Powerful square of the wicket, Burns hooked and pulled with confidence as he thrashed 12 fours in his 120-ball stay.
He won't be resting easy with his selection only secured for the first two Tests against New Zealand - a point national selector Mark Waugh rammed home on Thursday morning.
"Like anything, no one is guaranteed a spot in the team ever - you've got to perform. They are there for a couple of Tests," Waugh told Triple M radio when asked about Burns and fellow recalled batsman Usman Khawaja.
"We're just fingers crossed that they perform. There is nothing certain in any sport."
And Burns also quickly learned his place when he strode to the Gabba wicket with fellow opener David Warner.
Vice-captain Warner appeared to pull rank, heading for the non-striker's end for three-Test batsman Burns to face the match's first ball.
Burns held on to start his Test opening partnership with Warner in style.
Their 161-run opening stand bettered Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer's 158-run partnership at The Oval in 2001 in their first game together at the top of the order.
Still, Rogers will be a hard act to follow.
His average stand with Warner was 51.32 - just shy of Australia's most-prolific pair Hayden and Langer.
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