Khawaja backs Burns post omission from Proteas Test

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja, who has been recalled in the Australian Test squad, has backed his Queensland teammate Joe Burns to bounce back from the disappointment of being overlooked for opening Test against South Africa.

The two batsmen saw themselves being dumped from the Australia Test XI following the side's second straight defeat against Sri Lanka, where Burns averaged 8.5 while Khawaja managed just 13.75.

However, the Queensland duo stitched a 166-run first-innings partnership against NSW earlier in the week, with Burns reaching triple figures.

While Khawaja won his place back for the first two Proteas Tests, Burns failed to impress the selectors enough to make it to the 12-man Australian line-up.

In spite of being overlooked, Khawaja insisted Burns international career was far from over.

"I'm sure it's not the last you'll hear of him," he was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Khawaja will play at number three when Australia will take on South Africa in a three-match home series, starting from November 3 at the WACA.