New Australian pace bolt Mitchell Johnson has vowed to lean on new dad Brett Lee to help overcome the suffocating nerves of the biggest week of his life.
Johnson, who could become Australia's most inexperienced Test paceman since Lee made his debut in 1999, has vowed not to repeat the mistakes of his inglorious one-day international debut.
The left-arm firebrand was smashed for 0-64 off nine overs in Christchurch last year and his head drooped as New Zealand belted him everywhere.
But with Lee's help, Johnson's confidence has soared and the Queenslander insists he is in a better position to deal with nerves.
Lee became a father yesterday and will be a mentor for Johnson leading into next week's first Ashes Test.
"Brett has been there for me, I'm learning about him and I'm learning about myself as well," Johnson said.
"Brett's best advice has been to just go out there and give it my best, have no regrets.
"You don't want to come off the field thinking you could have done this or that.
"When we are in the nets I feel very comfortable going up to him if I am finding it hard.
"If he's working on something it will make me work harder as well.
"In my first game against New Zealand I got smacked around but I've learnt a lot since then."
Johnson faces an anxious wait to learn if he will make his much anticipated Test debut as fast bowling rival Shaun Tait plots to send a wrecking ball through England in a tour match starting today.
The 25-year-old hopes his intimate knowledge of the Gabba pitch will sway selectors to pitchfork him into battle against England, ahead of Tait and Stuart Clark.
Another Queenslander, allrounder Shane Watson, will be in Australia's starting side as he reclaims the Test spot he lost through injury last year.
"In my first couple of Test matches I didn't contribute too much with the bat and I want to make amends," Watson said.
Johnson has played just 18 first-class matches (62 wickets at 27) but his ability to blast out the world's top batsmen will count in his favour.
In recent months Johnson had dismissed Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid and Kevin Pietersen in one-day internationals.
He got Pietersen with a venomous short ball during the Champions Trophy and has vowed to give England's batting maverick some more chin music.
Johnson's selection in the Test squad was a fine reward for the youngster who almost gave up cricket when he lost his Queensland contract in 2004.
Plagued by back injuries, he drove a plumbing van for a living until he convinced himself to give cricket another shot.
- BEN DORRIES