Sam Konstas says he is driven to return to Australia's Test team a more refined player, believing his game has changed, tactically, technically and mentally since his last chance.
Konstas rammed home his push for a Test recall with his second century of the Sheffield Shield season against South Australia this week, with a career-best 173.
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Sent back to Shield cricket a year ago to work on his game, the NSW opener is now the leading run-scorer in the competition this season with 426 at an average 85.20.
Australia will name a squad for the first Test against New Zealand late in the week, with Konstas in the frame for a potential recall.
Any opening may need to be in the middle order, but David Warner did argue last month Konstas could bat No. 3 for Australia with Marnus Labuschagne since axed.
Konstas himself was dropped after averaging 16.30 across his first 10 Test innings, but the 21-year-old is adamant his confidence never took a hit.
The right-hander also believes his game has changed technically, tactically and mentally since, with a 50-over century for NSW to go with his two red-ball tons this season.
"It's [a] lot different I reckon," Konstas said of his batting. "Obviously learning from my experiences in the past and then just trying to formulate a plan when I bat. "I'm still taking the game on and having good intent, but then also understanding when to soak the pressure.
"I think that's the beauty about playing more red-ball cricket, and especially in India with Australia A as well. I learnt a lot from there."
Konstas' dismissal in the first innings against South Australia did raise eyebrows, caught at cover for 24 in the first session as NSW gave themselves an early race against the weather.
But he spent 272 balls in the middle for his second-innings 173, riding his luck at times in what was the longest innings of his first-class career.
Australia's selectors have remained steadfast in their view that Konstas will benefit from his time in the Test team, even if it quickly went downhill after his blazing Boxing Day debut against India in 2024.
It's a point the youngster also agrees with, insistent he is better for having had a chance in the Test team.
"I was grateful for those opportunities and I feel like if I do get back there I know what to do and to back my skills," Konstas said. "Obviously I want to be playing at the top level, and for me it's just scoring runs at Shield and then see what happens.
"I feel like I'm moving nicely. I'm happy to convert my starts to big scores. Especially when you're moving nicely, you're just trying to cash in."