The Test recall of Joe Burns has baffled former Australia star Brad Hogg who believes Marcus Harris should have retained his spot at the top of the order.

Burns was a surprise inclusion in Australia’s 14-man Test squad - named on Thursday - after he flopped in the three-day tour match against Pakistan with scores of 0 and 11.

But his Test record of four centuries in 16 matches was good enough for selectors on this occasion, and incumbent opener Harris was cut at his expense.

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Hohns explains selections 8:16

Hogg said he couldn’t make sense of the decision given Harris has been in good form domestically (266 runs at 53.20), while Burns’ performances have been modest (202 at 40.40).

“I don’t understand why they’ve gone back to Burns when Burns hasn’t really knocked the house down with a mountain of runs,” Hogg told SEN Afternoons.

“Harris is in form in Shield cricket, he is scoring runs left, right and centre at Shield level.

“You pick Australian teams from performances at Shield level and they haven’t done this – I don’t think Joe Burns is ready with the technique as I said earlier today.”

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Burns had no answer at Perth Stadium for Pakistan’s quicks, who Hogg said will be relishing the chance to bowl at the right-hander again.

“With the bowling that Pakistan have got, I just think they’ll be licking their lips with Joe Burns at the top of the order hoping they can get into Steve Smith with a hard new ball,” Hogg said.

Burns is expected to partner David Warner at the top of the order, although he faces competition from Cameron Bancroft who topscored for Australia A in the tour match. Hogg was similarly critical of Bancroft’s selection.

“I’m absolutely surprised that he’s been picked because he’s had a technical flaw since the Ashes series and I don’t feel as though he’s rectified it and I don’t feel as though he’s spent enough time in the middle in Shield cricket,” he said.

“I think a few others have been hard done by. I think Pucovski would have been in front of him if it wasn’t for the mental issues that he’s pulled himself out with as well. Big call to put Bancroft in.”

The first Test starts at Burns’ home ground, the Gabba, on November 21.