Shaun Marsh, the West Australian batsman, has said he wants to claim the Australian Test opener's berth left vacant by the removal of Simon Katich from Cricket Australia's contracts list.
The man most likely to get the first chance to open alongside Shane Watson is Phil Hughes, who replaced Katich for the final three Tests of the Ashes summer, without success.
He is to tour Zimbabwe with Australia A next month, while Marsh cools his heels after the Indian Premier League.
"I'm sure Phil Hughes will get the first crack. He played in the last Test match in the Ashes, so I'm sure he will get another crack there and try and cement his place," Marsh told AAP.
"But if they wanted me to open, I'm ready. I feel as though my game's at a really good stage now. I've been really consistent over the last few seasons in all formats. If I get the opportunity, I feel as though I'm ready to go.
"I'm pretty versatile in the batting order. I've shown I can open the batting and I can bat down at No.6 as well."
Though he has seldom opened the batting for his state in first-class cricket, 27-year-old Marsh has done the job for Australia at limited overs level, and over the past four summers has slowly improved his Sheffield Shield record, which has lagged well below the level generally required of Test batting aspirants.
Since the 2007-08 season that saw his first elevation to the fringes of the Australian limited overs squad and ensured stop-start Shield appearances since, Marsh has tallied 1,721 domestic first-class runs at an average of 52.15 (as against a career mean of 37.97), generally batting in the top four.
He has also been severely hampered by hamstring injuries during that time, but believes he is now ready.
"It is tough. I've probably had three major injuries now, all playing for Australia in the one-day series," Marsh said.
"It does take a lot out of you. I thought after I did the last one, my opportunity was slipping away, but I'm back on the contract list now and I'm really looking forward to the next 12 months.
"I know if I can stay on the park and play some good cricket, hopefully I'll get an opportunity back in the green and gold and grab it with both hands."