Swing bowler Chadd Sayers thought his chances of playing Test cricket had slipped by, admitting shock at his inclusion for Australia's tour of New Zealand next month.
The 28-year-old South Australian and fellow quick Jackson Bird feature in a 14-man squad announced on Wednesday for the two-Test tour.
Sayers held little confidence of earning a Test call-up despite his prolific wicket-taking in Sheffield Shield ranks.
"When you're in form and don't get picked, then you think maybe the time has passed," he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday.
"But obviously if you keep taking wickets and knocking the door down then a chance could come eventually - and luckily enough for me it has come."
Sayers, who has claimed 145 first-class wickets at an average of 24.82, said he was shocked when national chairman of selectors Rod Marsh delivered his selection news.
Marsh said Sayers "thoroughly deserves" his selection.
"Chad has got a terrific record in Sheffield Shield cricket," Marsh told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
"It's a matter of horses for courses, we think that the conditions in New Zealand will suit Chad. He is a good bowler under conditions that nibble around a little bit."
Express quick James Pattinson, despite lingering shin soreness, was also named for the two-Test series starting in Wellington on February 12, as was Peter Siddle who hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in the Boxing Day Test against West Indies.
Victorian quick Scott Boland, who was in the Test squad over the home summer, and NSW spinner Steve O'Keefe, who played in the most recent rain-affected draw against West Indies at the SCG, were the two to miss out.
Siddle is expected to play in the next round of Shield games starting February 3.
Selectors stuck with the current batch of Test batsmen with Shaun Marsh likely to again be the spare batsman following Usman Khawaja's return from injury.
Australia can reclaim the mantle as the No.1 Test-playing nation with a win against the Kiwis in a series which will be the swansong for their skipper Brendon McCullum.
"We know that New Zealand is going to come hard at us, that their players will want some form of pay-back for the (recent home) Test series loss," Rod Marsh said.
"The fact that we can move back to the top of the ICC rankings if we win the series is an added incentive for us."
