Usman Khawaja has backed Joe Burns to bounce back from the disappointment of being overlooked for next week's first Test against South Africa, after the former won out in a selection battle between the two.
The pair combined for a 166-run first-innings partnership against NSW earlier in the week, with Burns reaching triple figures as both pushed to impress selectors in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield.
However with Shaun Marsh having scored centuries in his past two Test matches, and another this week against South Australia, Khawaja claimed the only vacant spot in the batting line up ahead of the summer.
But he indicated Burns' international career was far from over.
"I'm sure it's not the last you'll hear of him," Khawaja said.
Both Burns and Khawaja were dropped during Australia's 3-0 whitewash series loss in Sri Lanka.
Together they combined for just 89 runs between them in eight innings, with Burns averaging 8.5 and Khawaja 13.75.
Khawaja went on to play in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and touring South Africa, while Burns returned home to to average 36.16 in the One-Day Cup for Queensland before hitting 129 on Wednesday.
"Hopefully he can continue this form and keep scoring a truckload of runs for Queensland," Khawaja said.
"Because we'll need them."
Burns also equal top-scored for the Bulls in their second innings against the Blues on Friday, before they were all out for 139 in the 225-run loss.
