Joe Burns has been added to Australia’s Test squad of 13 for the Melbourne Boxing Day Test against India. Picture: Jono Searle Source: News Corp Australia

Burns has been added to the 13-man squad in place of Mitch Marsh, who injured a hamstring in last week’s Gabba Test.

Marsh will travel with the squad to Melbourne and is being groomed for a possible return in the fourth Test in Sydney starting on January 6.

SIX THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT JOE BURNS

Coach and selector Darren Lehmann announced the squad at the Gabba yesterday, a day after his side had clinched a four-wicket win in the second Test to grab a two-nil lead in the four-match series.

Opener Burns averages 42.54 in 45 first-class games and has scored 439 runs at 54.87 in five Sheffield Shield games this season.

Joe Burns of the Queensland Bulls pulls his way to a century. Photo by Chris Hyde: CA/Cricket Australia. Source: Getty Images

His highest first-class score of 183 came in a Shield clash with NSW at the Gabba last month, in a performance that impressed onlookers including Test selectors Trevor Hohns and Mark Waugh.

Burns’ promotion comes despite 32-year-old Cowan’s four Shield hundreds for Tasmania this season.

Western Australia’s 35-year-old veteran Adam Voges, with three hundreds, is also an in-form player who has been overlooked.

“It does give us a bit of flexibility and a chance to play a guy who is young,” Lehmann said.

“You’re always trying to look ahead when you can, but you’re still living in the moment.¶

We think he’s the best man to fill that role, either one or six, two, three, four or five.

“He gives us a little bit more flexibility compared to the other two.

Joe Burns plays for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL. PIC: Simon Bullard. Source: Supplied

“They’re more middle-order or opening basically.”

Lehmann described Burns as a very good player against fast bowling.

Lehmann said last month’s tragic death of Phillip Hughes, as well as the season-ending knee injury to Usman Khawaja had left big holes in Australia’s domestic batting ranks.

“So we’ve lost a couple of players there that we rate really highly,” Lehmann said.

“But the other players we’ve selected and are on the fringe are very good players. It’s just they’ve got to get international cricket experience and play well.”

Lehmann says Burns is an aggressive player and a “cricket nuffie”.

“He’s a simple guy that just loves playing the game,” Lehmann said.

Coach Darren Lehmann says Australia needs Brad Haddin to make more runs. Shane Watson is also out of form, but the 33-year-old's spot in the side is safe thanks to Mitch Marsh's injury.

Former Queensland coach Lehmann said he always felt Burns had the game to play at Test level.

“It’s taken him a while,” Lehmann said.

He’s put his name up at the right time.”

Lehmann said he had no concerns the injury-plagued Watson could get through another Test match with bat and ball, having bowled 27.4 overs in Brisbane.

The coach is also confident David Warner will be fit to play on Friday despite a bruised thumb.

Pace bowlers Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle have been retained in Australia’s squad. Harris bowled in the Gabba nets yesterday after missing his home Test with a sore quadricep muscle.

Australia’s Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris