Australian cricket's new era isn't a time for "wild experimentation", says selection boss Rod Marsh.
After naming a safety-first squad to start the Test series against New Zealand, Marsh says the measured approach is designed to give new captain Steve Smith the best chance at early success.
In the sole surprise, selectors opted for Joe Burns as an opening batsman ahead of uncapped 22-year-old West Australian Cameron Bancroft.
"What we tried to do was pick the best side," Marsh told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
"We know New Zealand are going to be very, very worthy opponents. In fact they're a damn good side.
"And it's very important for Steve Smith and David Warner, the two leaders of our group, it's very important they get off to a good start.
"And I don't personally think it was time for just wild experimentation.
"I think we had to be very measured in what we did with this team to allow the new captain the best chance of getting off (to a good start)
"It's all very well saying `pick youth and go with youth all the time' but you have got to pick the best side."
Marsh said Bancroft had all the qualities of a Test player.
"But we think he's a few runs shy at the moment, he's a few hundreds shy," he said.
Instead, Burns will open in the first Test against the Kiwis starting next Thursday in Brisbane, despite batting at number six in his four Test innings.
"My last two years for Queensland has been as an opening batter and I feel really comfortable and confident in that role," Burns told reporters in Melbourne.
"I have had some consistent success there ... the fact that the first game is at the Gabba, my home ground, makes it a little bit easier as well."
Allrounder Mitch Marsh and 36-year-old batsman Adam Voges were retained while selectors included the five bowlers they used in this year's losing Ashes series - Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle.
The 12-man squad will also contest the second Test in Perth before selectors convene again to pick a side for the series finale in Adelaide, which will be the inaugural day-night Test match played with pink balls.
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