Marnus Labuschagne insists his experience batting at No.3 for Queensland will help him step up at Test level despite having the worst first-class record of any rookie Australian Test first drop this century.
Traditionally reserved for the best batsman in each Test team, Labuschagne's first-class average of 33.17 is the lowest of any player picked for the first time to specifically bat at No.3 this century.
In total 15 players have been selected in the position since 2000, dating back to Justin Langer who eventually lost the spot to Ricky Ponting on the following year's Ashes series.
Others have also filled in for the role, but weren't picked there and only slotted in as a nightwatchman or for a single innings at a time through injury.
Ponting, Steve Smith, Shane Watson and Usman Khawaja have mostly held the spot with command, but Labuschagne's selection highlights an Australian side still trying to find their way without David Warner and Smith.
The Queenslander scored just 81 runs in his maiden two Tests batting in the middle order last year against Pakistan at 20.25, and has scored just one half-century on return for the Bulls in the Sheffield Shield.
"I've pretty much batted most of my time at Queensland at No.3," Labuschagne said.
"It does give me confidence going out in a position I'm comfortable with. It's going to be a good challenge tomorrow and one I'm looking forward to.
"My role at number three is to play my game and make sure I'm batting as much time as possible and putting us as a team in a good position. That's how I'm going to approach it."
Labuschagne has batted 38 times for Queensland at No.3, hitting two centuries at an average of 35.84.
Overall, his career first-class average is also lower than Shaun Marsh, Rob Quiney and Alex Doolan's when they were first picked at No.3 - each averaging around 37.
It's also a far cry from the figures of his predecessor Khawaja, who was averaging 51.7 in first-class cricket when brought in to make his debut for Australia at No.3 in 2011.
Also picked as an extra bowling option, Labuschagne sent down four overs in his first day of cricket in Australia as India went to stumps at 4-303.
The 24-year-old dragged down three balls in his opening over that were sent to the rope before he finished with figures of 0-25.
