Pucovski will join recalled Queensland pair Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns in the 13-man squad, with Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb and Mitch and Shaun Marsh all making way in another batting overhaul following Australia’s first-ever home Test series loss to India.

All three batsmen will play the pink-ball three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka from January 17 in Hobart in order to fine-tune their preparations for a possible Test call-up in Brisbane, the summer’s lone day-night Test. Incumbent No.3 Marnus Labuschagne has also been listed in the XI in a practice fixture that may well have some bearing on which batsmen ultimately gain selection in the Test side.

Australia squad for first Test against Sri Lanka: Tim Paine (c/wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle “Joe Burns has had strong performances in first-class cricket this season, and we believe he can contribute strongly if given the chance in the series,” said national selection panel chair Trevor Hohns.

“Matt Renshaw is a player with the ability to make big scores, and at 22 years old has 10 first-class centuries. He also performed extremely well in England during the County season. We see him as a long-term prospect as a Test player and have confidence in his ability to bounce back following a string of low scores early in the Shield season,” Hohns explained..

“Pucovski is an exciting young player who is making his mark in the Sheffield Shield. He is another player with a track record of making centuries. We look forward to him joining the squad and congratulate him on his first national call-up,” Hohns added.

The biggest talking point to emerge from the squad list is Pucovski, the 20-year-old who made a remarkable 243 against Western Australia in the JLT Sheffield Shield last October, before taking what was labelled at the time an “indefinite break” from cricket for treatment on a mental health-related illness. 

The gifted right-hander, who dominated at under-age level before making his debut for Victoria, has suffered several concussions during his career that have slowed his progression.