Burns' MCG dressing room dilemma

Everyone is keen to make a good first impression in a new job and it's no different for the man who on Friday will become Australia's 441st Test cricketer.

Joe Burns's new workplace is the Australian team's dressing room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

His new colleagues are some of the best cricketers in the world, most of whom Burns has never played with before - he's played sporadically for Australia A, and Ryan Harris is the only other Queensland player in the squad.

And while tales of low-level 'hazing' for a new recruit are these days just a part of folklore, it didn't make Burns feel any less nervous on his first day on the job.

So much so that when he arrived at the MCG on Monday, he stood patiently in the middle of the room and waited for his new teammates to make themselves comfortable.

"I've been trying to keep a low profile," Burns said.

"I've been asking guys like Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris about where to sit, what to do.

"Just trying to keep off everyone's toes and make sure I'm on my best behaviour.

"I got very nervous and stood in the middle of the room until everyone else sat down and found a seat.

"Then I was informed that I was in Michael Clarke’s seat so I've got a lot to live up to in that seat."

One familiar face in the room is that of coach Darren Lehmann, Burns's former state mentor who was at the helm when the right-hander burst onto the domestic scene as a 21-year-old.

Burns says the relaxed dressing-room atmosphere that has become Lehmann's trademark has made his first stint in Australian colours as comfortable as a week with his state teammates.

And while his inititation into Test cricket will include fielding at short leg - as is tradition for rookie batsmen - his new teammates have been just as welcoming.

"I think it's been fantastic to come into this group of boys," he said.

"The support staff, the coaches, the players have been very welcoming and made me feel very comfortable.

"Something I couldn't have had any better having Boof in charge.

"I guess the way that he coached in Queensland is the same as the way he coaches for Australia.

"So as a Queensland player coming into the set-up it makes it a very easy transition."

There will be more familiar faces at the MCG on Friday, with Burns's family travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne on Christmas night.

Quick Single: Burns to bat at six, Harris returns for Boxing Day 

It will be their first Boxing Day Test, and it will also be Joe's first taste of Test cricket's biggest occaision.

Not that he's been the only new face in the Australian team hotel this week.

"It’s been nice to get to know the boys but also to meet all their families," he said.

"There’s plenty of kids running around the hotel so it’s been an enjoyable few days, just getting to know everyone.

"I still get to share the whole experience with (my family).

"To have them here on Boxing Day to share my achievements personally and to be able to watch a game I don't think they've come and seen before.

"It is special to have them here."