New Australia opener Jake Weatherald vowed to play his way second time around, fearing he could be dumped after just one Test.
The 31-year-old debuted in one of the more remarkable Ashes Tests in history, as Australia recovered from a losing position at lunch on day two to stun England and win only hours later.
Supposed to open the batting with 85-Test veteran Usman Khawaja, Weatherald instead partnered with Marnus Labuschagne in the first innings on Friday.
After falling to the ground when he was trapped lbw for a second-ball duck, the first Northern Territory product to play Test cricket was shaken.
But barely 24 hours later, Weatherald was part of a game-changing partnership with former South Australia teammate Travis Head.
"It wasn't the greatest way of starting your Test debut," Weatherald admitted on Sunday.
"But at the same time, I was super pumped to be out there.
"I still believed that I had the game to go out there and compete.
"Once I got that second opportunity, I was just like, 'well, if this is my last time I hit a ball for Australia then I'm going to make sure that I do it my way'.
"I felt as though I showed myself that I can move well against really good bowlers on quite a tricky wicket."
After the first three innings started 1-0 for the first time in Test history, Weatherald and Head put on a 75-run stand at better than a run-a-ball to motor Australia towards their chase of 205.
Weatherald was dismissed for 23, but his confidence grew during his time in the middle.
The adopted Tasmanian was one of many players to be overshadowed by Head's classic 123 from 83 balls.
"The way he walks out and bats and just has complete freedom is something that I envy a lot," Weatherald said of Head.
"It's something that gave me a lot of confidence at the other end.
"It put a lot more emphasis on him, and I can just go about my thing and try to find ways to score.
"It was awesome to watch from the other end."
Weatherald had two different opening partners because Khawaja was dealing with a back issue that flared up on day one.
Labuschagne's promotion was rushed and unexpected, but Head was thrilled to get the opportunity at the top when it became clear Khawaja wouldn't be able to bat in the second innings.
Weatherald received some cheeky sledging from England when arriving at the crease with Head.
"It was more around Marnus not taking the first ball in my first innings, which I agreed with," he said.
"I was like 'yeah boys, he probably should have taken it for me'.
"It was all fun and games.
"I don't think they were too worried about me.
"They were more worried about Heady and the rest of boys coming in."
Weatherald is a strong chance to partner Head in the second Test at the Gabba if Khawaja's back doesn't settle down, or selectors decide to end the 38-year-old's career.
