John Peers has finally been handed a Davis Cup spot, picked for his debut by new captain Lleyton Hewitt.

The 27-year-old Victorian, who is ranked world No.9 in doubles, will play with Sam Groth in the team.

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Australian No.1 Bernie Tomic and Nick Kyrgios will play singles on the temporary grass court installed at Kooyong, from March 4-6.

Peers reached two grand slam finals last year with Scot Jamie Murray and played with Groth in Sydney in January, reaching the quarter-finals.

Hewitt said Peers deserved his opportunity in the world group first round tie.

He said he had Peers in mind ever since he took over the captaincy.

“He’s earned this right; he’s a top 10 doubles player,” Hewitt said.

“I spoke to him at the Masters Cup in London at the end of last year and we talked about what he wanted to do with Davis Cup and the Olympics and he put his hand up for an opportunity.”

Hewitt said Peers was excited to be making his Davis Cup debut in front of his home crowd.

The newly-retired former world No.1 said he was excited by the form of his team, with Kyrgios clinching his first ATP title in France on the weekend.

Lleyton Hewitt couldn’t ask for a better lead-in to his first Davis Cup tie as captain.

“We all knew he was going to win a title, it was a matter of time but the way he did it and the guys he beat, especially from the quarter-finals on was very impressive.”

– AAP