Meet Australia's newest Test batsman

Australia's first Test squad following their tour of South Africa was always likely to spring a surprise or two and today's announcement delivered in the form of Queensland batsman Marnus Labuschagne.

The relatively unknown right-hander was one of the Bulls' best last summer in their successful JLT Sheffield Shield campaign and is currently in India with the Australia A squad.

Take a closer look at the 24-year-old's journey, from northern South Africa to the cusp of a Baggy Green cap.

How do you pronounce his name?

Born in South Africa, Labuschagne says there are two ways to pronounce his last name; for those who can't speak Afrikaans, he prefers the Australian version 'Lab-oo-shane'. For those who can speak Afrikaans ... watch the video below.

Career timeline

June 1994 - Born in Klerksdorp, a city in northern South Africa, around two hours south-west of Johannesburg.

2004 - Emigrates with his family to Brisbane and, having grown up speaking Afrikaans, begins to learn English for the first time.

Oct 2014 - Having been in the Queensland under-age system since he was 11, Labuschagne makes his first-class debut as a 20-year-old opener for Queensland against South Australia in Adelaide. Redbacks quick Chadd Sayers takes a hat-trick in just the 11th over of the match to make the score 3-27, but the debutant stands firm and grinds out a score of 83.

Dec 2014 - With most domestic players away with their BBL teams, Labuschagne is selected as a substitute fielder for Australia's Test against India at the Gabba. After Mitchell Marsh is forced off the ground due to injury, and Chris Rogers is struck on the helmet fielding at short leg, Labuschagne puts his hand up to field in close, where he normally stands for the Bulls. And early on the second day, he takes a brilliant one-handed catch diving forward to dismiss Indian tail-ender Varun Aaron.

Oct 2015 - Makes his one-day debut for Queensland, scoring just 10 in a heavy defeat to Tasmania.

Nov 2015 - In his eighth Shield match, Labuschagne posts his maiden first-class hundred, a score of 112 at the Gabba against a South Australia attack featuring Sayers, Joe Mennie and Adam Zampa. He shares a 189-run partnership with Test opener Matthew Renshaw as the Bulls win by an innings.

Feb 2016 - Scores a double of 103 and 52 as an opener in a Shield match in Perth against a WA attack featuring Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ashton Agar and Joel Paris.

Apr 2016 - Handed his first full state contract by the Bulls.

Oct 2016 - With just three List A games under his belt at the start of the season, Labuschagne turns heads by being named Player of the Tournament for the 2016 Matador One-Day Cup. The right-hander posts scores of 21, 51, 8, 73*, 18, 89 and 11, finishing with 273 runs at 45 to help steer the Bulls into the final. He top-scored in three Bulls victories, earning him enough votes to win the award.

Nov 2016 - Signs with the Brisbane Heat, his first Big Bash League contract.

Apr 2017 - Picked alongside Alex Carey, Jake Doran and Brendan Doggett in the National Performance Squad to tour India.

Sep 2017 - Becomes the first player in professional cricket to be penalised under the ICC's new 'fake fielding' rule. In a one-day match in Brisbane, Labuschagne's dive to his right fails to stop the ball but he gets to his feet and shapes a throw at the wicketkeeper, causing the batsman to stutter and run back to his crease. The Bulls are penalised five runs as a result.

Feb 2018 - Scores an unbeaten Shield century on the fourth day against Victoria to secure a draw and adds 134 against NSW a month later.

Mar 2018 - Is part of Queensland's triumphant Sheffield Shield side, finishes the season as the competition's second-highest run-scorer with 795 runs at 39.75, including two hundreds and four fifties.

May 2018 - Is flagged as a player of interest to national selectors when he is named in both the one-day squad for Australia A's tour of India. He is later added to the four-day squad as well as cover for injured opener Renshaw.

Aug-Sep 2018 - The right-hander scores 65 for Australia A in a one-day match against South Africa A as well as scores of 60 and 37 in the first unofficial Test against India A.

Sep 2018 - Is selected in Australia's Test squad for their series against Pakistan in the UAE.