Squad: Tim Paine (c & wk), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade and David Warner

Bancroft remained unused against Pakistan with Australia's batsmen creating havoc with a mountain of scores both times they batted. Before the second Test at Adelaide, he even represented Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, managing only scores of 12 and 23 against South Australia.

But selection chairman Trevor Hohns maintained that Bancroft remained in the picture should the need arise. "We are backing the current batting line-up to continue their form across the next three Tests. Whilst not a part of this squad, Cameron Bancroft remains one of the standby players. Similarly, depending on conditions, we reserve the right to add a player to the squad at any time during the Series",he said.

However, the selectors have continued to opt for extra pace options in the form of James Pattinson and Michael Neser, with the trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins all but set to resume service. All three were the leading wicket-takers in the series against Pakistan, with Starc bagging 6 for 66 in the first innings at Adelaide. Though captain Tim Paine explained that Starc suffered a cut, he remains positive of the left-armer starting against New Zealand.

"Starcy has a bit of a cut on his big toe, he did land awkwardly at one stage yesterday but that was fine. I think he's waiting the nail to come off the big toe which happens to a lot of fast bowlers and until it actually happens it can be quite painful. He's battling a little bit with that but nothing he hasn't gone through before", Paine said.

The first Test against New Zealand starts on December 12 at Perth, with the new Perth Stadium hosting its first day-night Test. The series then moves on to the traditional Boxing Day and New Year Tests at Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.