Steve Smith will replace David Warner as Australia’s Test opener despite never batting in the position in his 16-year first-class career.
Smith, 34, will open alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against West Indies in Adelaide from January 17.
Smith has never opened in 167 first-class games, which includes 105 Tests.
Smith began his career as a leg-spinner and number eight before becoming a prolific middle-order batter. He has scored 9,514 runs at an average of 58.01 in Tests.
He has batted at number three in 17 Tests – most recently in 2017 – although he has opened twice for Australia in T20s.