Opening batsman Joe Burns used to seek out Adam Voges in the Australian dressing room to sit down and learn as much as possible.
Burns could have been forgiven for thinking those days were gone with Voges' Test career all but over - but now he will link up with his "mentor" again for the Prime Minister's XI.
The Queensland batsman will be named alongside Voges in the Prime Minister's XI squad on Friday, when fears about an under-strength team could be extinguished.
Australia's Test players are preparing for the Indian tour and other big names have already been selected for the international Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.
However the likes of BBL|06's leading wicket taker Sean Abbott, leading run scorer Ben Dunk and recent ODI hero Marcus Stoinis could all be named for the Prime Minister's XI.
Also missing from the Australian scene are George Bailey, Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland and Mark Steketee.
The Prime Minister's XI match has traditionally been viewed as a selection trial for higher honours and Burns was dropped from the Australian Test team earlier this summer after a disappointing run of form.
But his absence from the international scene doesn't give Burns any extra motivation leading into the Sri Lankan clash.
"I don't think if you're getting close to selection or if you're away from selection dictates how much productivity you want to put out with your bat, or how many wins you want to get from your side," Burns said.
"Selection doesn't change the way I play or prepare or go about my cricket. I always try to be professional and try to contribute to a winning side."
Instead, his main motivation will come from playing alongside someone he has "always looked up to" in Voges.
"He was a bit of a mentor for me coming into the [Australian] side," Burns said.
"He's someone that I sat next to every Test match trying to learn as much off as I could. He's just got so much experience, so much information. He's a great guy to look at and try and replicate his career.
"I think it's probably a time in my career I'll look back on in future years and really thank [Voges] for all the help he gave me."
The Prime Minister's XI will be played as a Twenty20 for the first time under lights at Manuka Oval against Sri Lanka on February 15.
Burns says the decision to schedule the match as a Twenty20 instead of a one-day game shouldn't have a bearing on the fixture's place as a genuine representative trial.
The short format has "exploded" on the domestic scene and Burns believes when push comes to shove, runs are runs - no matter which arena they come in.
"If you're making runs in any format, you're going to be playing good cricket and that can hopefully be viewed by the selectors," Burns said.
"As a player, I guess not going into the PM's XI trying to use it as a platform to get selected for Australia. I'm just using it to enjoy the experience and play alongside some good cricketers and against a very good opposition."
Burns notched up 199 runs for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League at an average of 49.75, and sent social media into meltdown when he claimed a wicket while opening the bowling in a BBL fixture.
He hopes his relationship with close mate Voges might see the ball thrown his way for the Prime Minister's XI.
"I've actually already sent him a text message asking him to make sure he gets me plenty of overs in the Twenty20 game," Burns said.
"I think the Sri Lankans face spin bowling very well, but the good thing is I'm a spinner who doesn't spin it so I feel like I match up very well against the Sri Lankans."