Cameron Bancroft has been in this position before.
He was strongly tipped to make his Test debut when called up to Australia's squad for the 2015 tour of Bangladesh.
His inclusion was off the back of an outstanding Sheffield Shield season where he was the third-highest run scorer with 896 at an average of 47, including a best of 211.
However, the Bangladesh tour was later cancelled because of security concerns, and Bancroft returned to domestic cricket.
But the right-hander couldn't quite recapture the form he displayed before being called up to the national squad.
It is an experience that taught him a lot.
"I have learnt to fail well, a lot better. I have learnt how to relax a lot more," he said.
"I think and when you do things like that, sometimes stuff just goes your way when you don't give a damn about things."
Off the back of a strong end to the county season with Gloucestershire, where he scored an unbeaten 206 in the final game of the season, he has carried momentum into the Australian domestic summer.
In three Shield games, the 24-year-old has scored 442 runs at 110.50, including 228 not out in WA's last match against South Australia.
And by his own admission, he is a much better player than now the one that missed out on going to Bangladesh.
"I have certainly played a lot more games than I had done then. I have been able to experience different conditions," he said.
"I have been able to play in England a few times, just a combination of all those things I think helps you to improve and get better."
This time Bancroft's position in the side is more certain.
Barring a disaster, he will open alongside David Warner in next week's first Ashes Test against England in Brisbane, as a replacement for the out-of-favour Matt Renshaw.
"I don't think I have anything to lose at all," Bancroft said.
"I am going to go out there, and I am going to really enjoy the week.
"I am going to go out in the game and I going to have a lot of fun.
"I am going to do what I love doing and that is batting and making runs.
"It is not every day you get to play a Test match and if selected I will lap it up and enjoy every moment."
