Paceman Jackson Bird has been recalled for the first Test against New Zealand, with James Pattinson unable to prove his fitness.
Pattinson bowled well in the Basin Reserve nets on Wednesday.
However, Australia selectors harbour doubts about his lack of conditioning leading up to the clash that starts in Wellington on Friday.
Pattinson has bowled just 21.3 overs since the SCG Test, having sat out the Big Bash League because of sore shins.
He returned in last week's Sheffield Shield clash in Melbourne but was withdrawn after two days of play.
"The selectors aren't 100 per cent sure whether he'd get through this first Test match so that decision was made," skipper Steve Smith said.
Smith expects Pattinson will be available for the second and final Test, which starts on February 20.
"It'll be nice for him to have that bit of extra time," Smith said.
Smith revealed his XI on Thursday, with Bird, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle forming the pace attack.
Bird, who will be playing his fourth Test, hasn't played for Australia since the 2013 Ashes.
"Jackson Bird's been bowling extremely well," Smith said.
"He's still quite young. He's been a quality bowler and always performed well at Shield level.
"It's great he gets another opportunity.
"I'm really happy with the XI we've picked. Hopefully we can have a successful week."
Pattinson was confident last week he'd be ready for the start of the trans-Tasman series.
"I was a bit rusty early on (in the Shield game) but then I hit my straps in the second innings," the Victorian said.
"I'm feeling really good.
"The selectors and the medical staff are pretty happy with where I'm at."
AUSTRALIA XI: Joe Burns, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
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