Usman Khawaja will miss Australia’s next two Tests because of a hamstring injury, opening the door for Shaun Marsh, Cameron Bancroft or Michael Klinger to earn a call-up.

Khawaja tweaked his left hamstring in the field on day two of the second trans-Tasman Test.

The No.3 batsman was sent for scans, with Cricket Australia confirming he will be sidelined for the day-night Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval.

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Khawaja will also be unavailable for the first Test against the West Indies, meaning his next game for Australia won’t be until Boxing Day at the earliest.

Bancroft’s chances of earning a Test debut were dealt a blow on Sunday when he was dismissed for four during Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

He was caught at third slip off the bowling of James Pattinson after attempting a drive.

In contrast, Marsh posted a solid 64 from 108 deliveries before falling to spinner Fawad Ahmed, while Klinger was unbeaten on 41 shortly after tea on Sunday.

Khawaja’s injury is a bitter blow to the 28-year-old after missing most of the last summer because of a serious knee injury.

The classy left-hander was riding high after posting centuries in consecutive Tests against NZ.

But he was ground to a halt on Saturday when his left hamstring failed him while chasing a ball in the field.