Australia's debutant Joe Burns has been treading carefully in the Australian dressing room since his call-up, but his Brisbane teammates suggest he doesn't lack for confidence, and he admitted he wasn't totally surprised when contacted by selectors.
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Burns said he was half-expecting the call from chairman of selectors Rod Marsh, but his busy cricket schedule initially denied him the chance to fully appreciate his achievement.
"I had a feeling I was in the mix but I think the nature of domestic cricket these days, you play so much cricket," Burns said. "We went from the one-day tournament to shield cricket and straight into the Big Bash.
"I didn't really have time to think where I was personally and the whole landscape of things.
"I just focused on the games I had coming up. Even the day I got the news I was selected, we had a Brisbane Heat game that night. So I hadn't given it much thought, but it was with great delight that I got the call from Rod Marsh."
Burns' Boxing Day Test debut will be even more exciting given he has never attended an MCG Test before.
"To come along to the ground, see a sold-out MCG and soak it all in. It's exciting just to say those words. To live it out on Friday, I can't wait," said the 25-year-old.
However, he is no stranger to the ground and has a very impressive Sheffield Shield average of 84.3 there.
"I certainly do enjoy batting here. It's a wicket that can be quite flat, but also retain its pace," he said. "It's a nice batting wicket. I haven't seen the pitch for the Test yet, but I imagine it'll be much the same."
Lehmann, who used to coach Burns at Queensland, noted earlier in the week that Burns could play in any position in the top order.
Given Shane Watson's struggles at No.3, it had been strongly suggested that Burns would slot into first drop.
As it turns out, Burns will act as a direct swap for Mitchell Marsh at No.6.
And despite current state coach Stuart Law saying the versatile Burns became more nervous batting further down the order, the right-hander insisted he would be happy to bat anywhere.
"As a new player you don't really care where you bat in Test match cricket - especially in Melbourne," he said. "Probably three, four, five and six - it doesn't really alter my preparation or anything like that.
"Wherever you bat, you just soak up the atmosphere. I'm just going to try and enjoy the moment as much as possible.
"I wouldn't say I get nervous [batting down the order]. I just get eager to get out there."
Ordinarily, Burns would be spending Christmas Day with his family at home in Brisbane.
And fortunately for the versatile batsman, he will still get the chance to celebrate a portion of Christmas with his family in Melbourne.
"They're coming down on Christmas night," Burns said. "So I still get to share the whole experience with them.
"To have them here on Boxing Day to share my achievements personally and to be able to watch a game I don't think they've come and seen before, it is special to have them here."
Burns will become Australian Test cap No.441 on Friday.
