Phil Hughes is determined to make his opportunity count after replacing the injured Simon Katich for this week's third Ashes Test.

Dropped from the international ranks after a string of ineffective knocks against England last year and Pakistan and New Zealand this year, the 22-year-old has a chance at redemption amid Australia's bid to recover from a heavy loss in Adelaide.

"I'm pumped, over the moon and can't wait to get out there," enthused Hughes ahead of the clash at the WACA, which starts on Thursday.

"Mentally, I feel really good."

"I've always enjoyed opening the batting.

"I've always done it, and it's exciting - it gets the blood flowing."

After falling for a duck on debut, the unorthodox left-hander bounced back with knocks of 75, 115 and 160 against South Africa in March 2009 before a shaky technique found him wanting against England.

"England are going to come out firing against me. But I'm ready for it. I'm ready for anything they throw at me, and I can't wait for it," added Hughes, who averages 51.25 across 13 Test innings.

"I lost my spot in the Australian side in England in the last Ashes series, and that was disappointing at the time.

"But I've come back in and I'm all smiles at the moment."