Joe Burns to fulfil Boxing Day dream

A self-confessed cricket tragic, it doesn't get much better for Joe Burns than a Test debut on Boxing Day.

Burns' home ground is the Gabba and it was brotherly backyard cricket in Brisbane where he first honed his batting skills.

But it's the MCG where Burns' attention is always fixed on December 26 when childhood heroes forge reputations for Australia.

"The day after Christmas when you're sitting on the back deck watching the cricket - it's a special day," Burns, who was added to Australia's Test squad on Sunday in place of injured allrounder Mitch Marsh, told reporters in Sydney.

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"I remember playing in the backyard ... they're probably my (two) earliest (cricket) memories.

"I do follow the game closely. I love the game of cricket and I guess that makes (playing on) Boxing Day even more special.

"Any Australian cricket fan dreams of playing in these sort of games ... it'd be very special."

Burns vowed to keep calm under the intense scrutiny that comes with debuting on one of the most distinguished days in Australian sport.

"In terms of the pressure, I think I'll just enjoy the experience, enjoy the moment and hopefully go well," the right-hander said.

The 25-year-old, speaking on Sunday as he prepared to play a Big Bash League match before joining the Test squad, could hardly believe it.

"I was pinching myself before, just thinking it may actually become a reality," Burns said.

"My dad didn't believe me."

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Burns playing for the Heat after his call-up // Getty Images

Burns added it was a bittersweet feeling, given Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja would have potentially taken his spot if not for a serious knee injury.

"There's plenty of players that dream to be in this situation and you feel for them when other circumstances take it away," Burns said.

Burns made his debut with the Bulls in 2011 then flourished as a batsman when Darren Lehmann was appointed coach of the state team.

"If I do play on Boxing Day it'll be with great pride that he's my first Australian coach. Hopefully there's plenty of games to come under him," Burns said.

Who is Joe Burns?

- Queensland batsman with an average of 42.54 from 45 first-class games

- Capable of opening, but has also played as a middle-order and lower-order batsman

- Studying business and finance at Queensland University of Technology

- 2011: scored 140 at Adelaide Oval - the third highest score on debut by a Queenslander

- 2012: made his Australia A debut on tour of England

- 2013: was on cusp of international debut when called into Australia's T20 squad as cover for Adam Voges

- 2013: was named Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year (Cricket Australia's award given to the best player under 23)

- 2014: scored 439 runs from nine innings at average of 54.87 in the first half of the 2014/15 Sheffield Shield season, including 183 against NSW at the Gabba.