Explosive opening batsman David Warner is set to earn his first Test cap after he was named in the Australia [ Images ] squad, on Saturday, to face New Zealand [ Images ] in the first Test starting at the Gabba [ Images ] in Brisbane [ Images ], on Thursday.

Limited overs specialist Warner is likely to step in for all-rounder Shane Watson [ Images ], who is one of five players unavailable for the team due to injuries sustained in South Africa [ Images ].

Patrick Cummins, Shaun Marsh [ Images ], Mitchell Johnson [ Images ] and Ryan Harris were all also ruled out of selection on Friday with their fitness to be assessed next week.

Fast bowler Ben Cutting has been called into the 12-man squad for the first time while fellow quicks Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson have been involved in limited overs squads previously, chairman of selectors John Inverarity said.

Australia squad:

Michael Clarke [ Images ] (captain), Phillip Hughes, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting [ Images ], Michael Hussey [ Images ], Brad Haddin [ Images ], Peter Siddle [ Images ], James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Ben Cutting