Hazlewood has been ruled out for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after suffering another flare-up of the back injury he suffered during last year's tour of South Africa.

The injury has opened the door for 22-year-old Richardson, who will battle it out with Peter Siddle to partner Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the pink-ball first Test at the Gabba starting on Thursday.

"Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early-stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer," Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said.

He said Australia were confident Hazlewood, who's taken 164 wickets in 44 Tests, would be available for selection in time for the World Cup and Ashes campaigns.

Richardson has played seven one-day and seven Twenty20 internationals but is uncapped at Test level.

The highly-rated speedster showed his massive potential when he snared 8-47 in WA's Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at Perth Stadium in November.

"I like to run in and bowl fast but sometimes that's not what's needed," Richardson told reporters on Saturday.

"I might need to come in and stem the flow of runs or build some pressure, and I think I'm learning how to do that a lot better.

"Especially over the last year playing a lot more Shield cricket, learning how to really control the game and do my best to really contribute to the team."

National coach Justin Langer is also closely familiar with Richardson from his time as WA coach, describing him as a "shining light" in Australia's ODI series against India.

If picked, Richardson would be the youngest Australian paceman to make his Test debut since the 2011-12 summer when both Starc and James Pattinson earned caps aged 21.

National selector Trevor Hohns said Richardson, who dismissed India superstar Virat Kohli in all three ODIs this month, was an ideal replacement for Hazlewood.

Australia are now without both their deputies to Tim Paine, with Mitch Marsh not selected for the Sri Lanka Tests.

Hazlewood missed Australia's two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE in October with a similar back injury and was rested for the ODIs against India.

Australia's Test squad is due to meet in Brisbane on Saturday evening.

National selectors must also finalise their batting order after Joe Burns and Matthew Renshaw failed to impress in a CA XI tour match against Sri Lanka.

Batting prodigy Will Pucovski scored a handy 33 not out in the second innings, increasing the likelihood he will make his debut at the Gabba.

Australia's 13-man Test squad: Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Will Pucovksi, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle.

Australian Associated Press