Andrew Symonds told Alex Doolan to play with an open mind in his pre-match pep talk before the first Test against South Africa started on Wednesday.
Doolan became the 437th Australia to play Test cricket, with Symonds presenting the baggy green in Centurion.
"I just said that playing for Australia is your own experience, it's what you think it is," Symonds told Cricket Australia's website.
"You'll understand more about it once you play your first Test and learn what it means to you.
"Enjoy it. It's an honour and it's got its own spin on it for each player."
Doolan had little time to stew on Symonds' words of advice.
He was called into action when the three-Test series was just 18 minutes old, with David Warner chopping a ball onto his stumps,
"I'm very nervous, as I expected to be. I think if you're not nervous you're not quite right," Doolan said shortly before the start of the match.
Doolan's fiance Laura and family were on hand for the occasion.
Speaking before Doolan saw off the opening spells of Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn, coach Darren Lehmann expressed confidence in the 28-year-old.
"He's a good player of fast bowling and conditions will suit him. He knows seaming wickets quite well," Lehmann said.
