AUSTRALIA is set to require a new batsman for the third Test in Adelaide, after a devastated Usman Khawaja broke down with a left hamstring injury late yesterday at the WACA. 
It's a bitter blow for Khawaja, who ruptured his knee last summer and suffered recent hamstring trouble before triumphantly returning to the Australian side with back-to-back hundreds against New Zealand.
However, even if scans come back positive today, it would appear West Australian duo Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh will be in a shootout to be called up for the next Test.
Khawaja could miss up to a month with the injury, according to respected Dr Peter Larkins. Australia had made just two breakthroughs approaching stumps on day two, with New Zealand 2/115 in response to the home side's commanding 9 (dec)/559.
Hamstring problems have been an ongoing issue for Khawaja for the past couple of months, after he first suffered an injury to his right leg before the scheduled tour of Bangladesh. The exhaustive 41/2 hours the left-hander spent at the crease in 35C heat on day one would not have helped, either.
There was a suggestion made by selector Mark Waugh earlier this week on Fox Sports' Inside Cricket that Khawaja had a "hamstring niggle" that was affecting his mobility in the field during the Brisbane Test. However, Cricket Australia yesterday put that down to a misunderstanding and said there was no inconvenience experienced by Khawaja at the Gabba.
It was a forlorn Khawaja who limped off the WACA yesterday with Australian physio David Beakley.
Khawaja was chasing a ball into the outfield when he pulled up lame and will go for scans in the morning.
Based on national selector Rod Marsh's claim that the policy will see the Aussies favour younger talent, Bancroft could be in the box seat for a Test debut if selectors feel he can adjust to batting at No.3. Otherwise they could shift Steve Smith up to first drop and pick Marsh or even another Western Australia player, Michael Klinger.
"I'm assuming Steve Smith will just push himself up to No.3, where he should have been anyhow, and just slot someone else into the middle order," Test great Ian Chappell in Channel 9 commentary said.
Right-handed opener Bancroft, 22, averages 37.63 as an opener for WA and selectors say he was desperately unlucky to miss out at the expense of Joe Burns for the first Test. Selectors also said that Marsh was unlucky to miss, and the experienced left-hander does have more experience batting in the middle order.
Former Redback Klinger has an outstanding domestic record over the past couple of years. However, it doesn't appear he's on the radar.
Burns also suffered an injury scare in the field yesterday, badged on the helmet at point-blank range fielding at short leg.
Burns immediately fell backwards and was immediately aided by team-mates and team doctor Peter Brukner. However he was passed fit to continue fielding.
Mitchell Starc made an early breakthrough yesterday, snaring opener Martin Guptill and fellow opener Trent Latham fell to off-spinner Nathan Lyon for 36.However, New Zealand master batsman Kane Williamson again made life difficult for the Australians, piloting his way to a largely untroubled half-century.