It had been a long time coming for the 32-year-old, who made his first-class debut for Auckland against Canterbury in the 1998-99 season.
There has been an upside to that wait for Young.
"It's still early days in terms of international cricket but I've got 100-odd first-class games under my belt," he said. "It was a good starting point to know I'd got a lot of good cricket behind me and wasn't searching for things, if they did or didn't go well.
"I'm not picking at my technique. I know what works and basically go out and work on my mental game as opposed to my skill game."
Young is a highly capable batsman, having done his time as a specialist at Auckland, where he also shared keeping responsibilities with present captain and former international Gareth Hopkins, before shifting to Canterbury.
He has scored six first-class centuries and averages a useful 31. His test average going into the first test is 36, albeit after only three matches.
Once McCullum had passed on the test gloves, and Hopkins didn't fully convince in India late last year, Young got his chance when Pakistan came calling at the start of the year.
"In the first couple of tests I was still finding my feet. Obviously it was a nervous time after playing that much first-class cricket. I enjoyed it, but felt I was still feeling my way."
Things moved up a step in Zimbabwe a few weeks ago. Not only did Young get rapid, confidence-boosting runs in the second innings to help set up a winning declaration in the only test at Bulawayo, but he grabbed his best international catch to date.
It was a one-handed catch low to his right to dismiss Regis Chakabva off fast-medium Doug Bracewell on the final afternoon which helped propel New Zealand to their 34-run victory.
It was a sharp catch at any stage of the day, "but the main thing for me was it was the fifth day, in the third session and I was able to pull it off".
Which is to say his mental processes were still alert at the fag end of a hot, sweaty slog.
Young had a quiet off season, staying home with his young family, going six months without a game.
"I had a few areas I wanted to work on, fitness, strength and skills, so it was a good opportunity to refresh, recharge the batteries and spend a bit of time with my family."
His mentor is former Auckland wicketkeeper Jason Mills, who played 27 first-class and 30 one-day games through the 1990s.
"It's just about bouncing ideas. He may see something on TV and say, 'Mate, you're doing this or not doing that well.' It's about getting those little things right."
Batting at No 7, 8 or 9 is a new experience "but it's about summing up the situation and working with the tail".
Young has the chance to nail down the job at the start of a busy period for the New Zealand team. After Australia, there are four more tests at home, against Zimbabwe and South Africa. Then follow tours to the West Indies, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa.
Young could clock up a pile of air miles. It's his time, if he's good enough to grab his chance.
