Cricket: Khawaja and Burns win recalls

Usman Khawaja has won a recall to the Australian team for the first two tests. Photo / Getty

Queensland batsmen Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns have won recalls to the Australian team for the first two tests against New Zealand.

The notable absentees include Western Australians Cameron Bancroft, widely tipped to make his debut at Brisbane next week, and the more experienced Shaun Marsh.

Khawaja, who has been out of the test team since August 2013, and Burns, unwanted since playing against India last January, have won the two contentious batting spots.

"Usman is a very good player of fast bowling and is a fine technician," national selector Rod Marsh said today.

"We feel he will make a really solid contribution towards our batting in this series.

"Joe thoroughly desreves his chance and was unlucky to miss out on West Indies and Ashes tours."

The bowling attack is predictable, with veteran Peter Siddle and the younger Josh Hazlewood vying for the third seamers spot while Mitchell Marsh fills the allrounder role.

Australian squad for the first two tests
Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.