Australia made a late addition to their Test team, selecting in-form batsman Kurtis Patterson for the Sri Lanka series.

The 25-year-old New South Wales batsman was originally overlooked for the first Test which begins in Brisbane on Thursday.

However, after he scored back-to-back centuries for Cricket Australia XI against the visiting Sri Lankans in in Hobart last week, Patterson was made a last-minute addition to the squad as Australia look to beef up their batting line-up that failed to withstand the pressure exerted by India during their recent 2-1 Test series defeat at home.

National selector Trevor Hohns said Patterson had been “pushing his case for selection for some time”.

“We have been asking batters around the country to score hundreds if they want to be considered for selection,” Hohns said in a statement.

“Given Kurtis’ consistent performances for NSW and his two unbeaten centuries in last week’s tour match against our upcoming opponent, Sri Lanka, we believe he deserves to be added to the Test squad,” he added.

Australia’s batsmen had a poor Test series India as no home player reached three figures – the first time it has happened Down Under in a home series of four Tests or more since 1883.

The first Test, which is a day-nighter, starts Thursday in Brisbane while the second will be played in Canberra.