Boasting a new-look action and new-found sense of calm, James Pattinson feels ready for the rigours of Test cricket.
Pattinson has suffered no shortage of setbacks in his 13-Test career, especially since being sent home from the 2013 Ashes due a stress fracture of his lower back.
The express paceman has played one Test since - at Cape Town in March last year.
Back injuries have dictated the need for remedial work on Pattinson's action, while he knows he must train "smarter".
A stop-start comeback since breaking down almost two years ago has also given Pattinson time to think - about life more than cricket.
Pattinson, in line to play the day-night Test that starts on Friday, is just happy there's now a distinction between the two.
"Cricket was everything to me," he said.
"I left school and played cricket - that's all I did.
"Then for two years, I didn't have that so it made me appreciate life outside cricket a little bit more.
"I'm really relaxed with my cricket now. I'm not taking it as seriously as I did.
"It should be like that all the time. It should be enjoyable. It should be fun."
Pattinson was able to see more of his family and partner Kayla Dickson, the pair having become engaged earlier this year.
The Victorian has also started studying a diploma in building and construction, while investing more time in his long-term interest of greyhounds.
"There's been a lot of early mornings walking greyhounds around while I was in a back brace," the 25-year-old said.
"Doing something outside (of cricket), when you come back to cricket, it makes you appreciate how lucky you are."
Pattinson's mindset was different in 2013.
So menacing on the pitch, the right-armer was in tears after his back injury in England.
"It hit me pretty hard," he said.
"I wasn't expecting it at all ... but I used to do everything at a hundred miles an hour.
"I've come back a bit smarter with the way that I train."
Pattinson is also bowling more side-on in an effort to achieve an injury-free summer.
"My body is actually feeling better as well so that's a bit of reassurance," he said.
"There's no nerves there, probably more excitement than anything."
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