Usman Khawaja earned a Test recall by scoring plenty of runs at the Gabba, a venue where batting is rarely easy.
So Khawaja feels ready for the swing and seam movement he will confront in the two-Test series against New Zealand that starts in Wellington on Friday.
Khawaja, having been recalled to Australia’s ODI side for the second clash in the three-match series, made it clear his entire focus was on reclaiming the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.
However, that will immediately change following Monday’s ODI series finale in Hamilton.
Khawaja recently scored three Test tons at home, two of them against NZ, but was rarely tested in bowler-friendly conditions during 2015-16.
“It will be a bit of a challenge as you’d expect it to be but challenge is healthy, challenge is fun,” Khawaja said.
“I don’t think too much changes for me in Test match cricket.
“The ball moves around at the Gabba back home as well so it’s not totally unseen.
“It’s not too different. It’s not like going from Australia to India.”
Khawaja mastered NZ swing kings Tim Southee and Trent Boult in Brisbane and Perth three months ago.
The 29-year-old’s previous Test stint came during the 2013 Ashes in England, where he was dropped after three games at first drop.
Khawaja suggested adapting to foreign conditions was more of a mental challenge than a test of a batsman’s technique.
“It’s all mindset,” he said.
“Different conditions … you have to get your head around it more than anything.”
Paceman James Pattinson watched some of New Zealand’s recent Test series against Sri Lanka on TV and was happy with what he saw.
“They had a few bowlers that hit the deck quite hard there and got some success,” Pattinson said.
“Obviously with a little bit of extra pace it does help. That’s always been my go.”
The tourists are expecting similar green seamers to what they encountered during the 2015 Ashes.
“In England, conditions were very challenging … a lot of the boys have learned from that.”
Khawaja added it would be wrong to have preconceived notions about the Basin Reserve wicket awaiting the squad on Friday.
“I like to go out and be pretty aggressive but if the wicket is not conducive to aggressiveness then sometimes you have to bring it back a bit .. there’s so many things that can change,” he said.
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