Usman Khawaja will play his first Test for Australia in over two years, assuming he replaces Travis Head in the Sydney Test on Wednesday.
Head has been withdrawn from the team following his positive COVID-19 test on Friday.
This leaves the No. 5 spot in the batting order up for grabs - the only position in the top six in which Khawaja has never batted for Australia.
The 35-year-old spoke to Cricket Australia on Saturday about how he feels ahead of the fourth Ashes Test, and is planning to relish the opportunity of potentially playing in his home city.
"I love Sydney," Khawaja said.
"It's where I grew up, my family's here ... a lot of friends here, a lot of memories here.
"Every time we come back to Sydney I really enjoy it.
"So if I do get an opportuity, it's always very exciting to play test cricket there."
As 12th man in the current Ashes squad, Khawaja understands it will not be easy to slot in, having not played Test cricket for over a month.
However, he is confident in his ability, and plans to give it his all - regardless of how long he may be in the team for.
"You're sort of out of sync [when you're not playing], but it shouldn't take too long," Khawaja explained.
"Hopefully if I play, I can get out there and bat for half an hour and get into it ... and find that sync again.
"I've been in the nets, but as everyone knows that's never the same.
"I've stayed as ready as I can on the sideline, if I do get an opportunity.
"I just keep doing the hard work.
"It's one of those things where even if I do play, it'll only be for one game … I understand that situation, so hopefully I can go out there and score a hundred and do well for the team in the absence of 'Heady'.
"There's a lot of cricket still to come up... I'm just putting my head down, making sure I'm working really hard and doing the best I can for Australia whenever I get the opportunity."
Although he has not made the XI in the first three matches, Khawaja's interactions with the crowd as a fielder in this Ashes series have been received well by cricket fans.
He shared that he just enjoys entertaining people - whether it is at the crease or on the boundary.
"I do enjoy bantering with the crowd in general - just having a bit of fun," Khawaja said.
"It [cricket] is one of those games which I've played my whole life and I've played it because it's fun to watch.
"Test cricket is very traditional though ... you have to do things certain ways.
"I think guys would be more comfortable doing that in a Big Bash game.
"When someone does it in a Test match people are like 'Ooh, that's a bit different'.
"But I'm just being myself to be honest."
Usman Khawaja pulling out the shuffle for the Barmy Army! 👍👍 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/RD9b4Ws4ce
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2021
Australia has already claimed the 2021/22 Ashes series 3-0, but will look to increase their dominance in Sydney on Wednesday.
Mitch Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have been added to the squad as cover players, with Usman Khawaja expected to fill in for Travis Head.
The fourth Ashes Test will be held between January 5-9 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
