Usman Khawaja feared his cricket career could be over after undergoing a knee reconstruction last year.
Khawaja was on Friday named in Australia's 12-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand, with the Queensland captain expected to bat at first drop in Brisbane.
It's been a long road back for the 28-year-old.
That's in reference to a 27-month stint in the Test wilderness.
But also the self-doubt that plagued Khawaja after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his left knee in an innocuous Sydney Thunder training drill last December.
"I was thinking about it this morning and at one point I thought - with the knee injury my career might have been over," Khawaja said on Friday.
"Then obviously I did a ton of work to get back.
"I'm just happy to be playing cricket again, it's a lot of fun. So yes it (national selection) is a big bonus."
Khawaja made his Test debut in 2011, while his most recent game for Australia came during the 2013 Ashes.
"That's a long time ago," he said on Friday.
"I'd like to think I've improved as a player."
However, the recalled left-hander knows it counts for little as he prepares for the latest chapter in a stop-start career.
"Everything I've done towards this point now doesn't really matter," he said.
"It's all about what I do the next game and then the next game.
"I think you'll find it might be my third or fourth go at it.
"Obviously I didn't take my chances the last couple of times. I'm hoping to take it now."
Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh is confident Khawaja can deliver a final answer in Australia's protracted search for a new first drop after Ricky Ponting's retirement.
"Usman is a very good player of fast bowling and is a fine technician," Marsh said.
"We feel he will make a really solid contribution towards our batting this series."
Khawaja planned on keeping things as normal as possible in the lead-up to Thursday, when the three-Test series starts at the Gabba.
"I'm not going to change anything. The way I go out and play Shield cricket and club cricket will be the same way I'm going to go out and play for Australia," he said.
Share
