Gulidjan fast bowler Scott Boland is in for the Boxing Day test; Aussie skipper Pat Cummins confirming the 33-year-old's spot ahead of veteran Josh Hazelwood on Christmas morning.
Boland faced an agonising wait as Australia weighted up their options before confirming their pace attack for the second test against the touring South Africa.
He returns to the MCG, where last year he cleaned through England's batsmen with a 6-7 display on day three, as Hazelwood continues his recovery with a side strain.
"We gave Joshy (Hazlewood) every chance, (but) it just got to a stage where more than anyone else felt like he was a little bit underdone," Cummins said.
"We didn't really get to the decision point, we gave it enough time and it played out," Cummins said of the selection dilemma.
"There would have been a part of everyone that would've felt a little bit aggrieved if Scott missed out."
Australia look to wrap the series starting tomorrow coming off a first test victory that failed to progress past two days as bowlers took total control on a green Brisbane wicket, later deemed below-average.
Peering into the seemingly decisive win, Australia lost a wicket every 25 balls compared to South Africa's 25.9 ball average at the crease.
Boland comes off an impressive start to the summer, maintaining a bowling average below 11 runs and also brings a wealth of experience at the MCG from his time in Victoria's domestic sides.
25 wickets in five Tests, at a touch over 10 apiece.
Watch how Scott Boland's bowling average has progressed since his debut! 📉 pic.twitter.com/nrMzHAQB0I
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 22, 2022
The second test begins in Melbourne tomorrow from 10:30am AEDT.
