James Faulkner’s inclusion in Australia’s Test squad for the coming series against Pakistan adds an extra layer of intrigue to the question of who will take injured Shane Watson’s role as allrounder in Dubai.

Cricket Australia announced at the completion of Friday’s second one-day game in Dubai that the 24-year-old Faulkner, who played one Test in 2013, will stay on following the one-day series.

The Tasmanian will be on standby for fellow pace-bowling allrounder Mitch Marsh who has a hamstring strain.

Faulkner is a member of Australia’s one-day squad for the current three-match series against Pakistan which is set to be completed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Australia will warm up for the two-Test series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with a four-day game against Pakistan A starting on Wednesday in Sharjah.

Marsh, 22, had been looking a strong chance to make his Test debut in Dubai on October 22 before suffering a hamstring strain in the recent Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India.

The talented allrounder has resumed jogging and batting in the nets but team physio Alex Kountouris has suggested building up Marsh’s bowling loads to full capacity will be the tricky part ahead of the Test series.

Faulkner becomes the 16th member of Australia’s Test squad. The game against Pakistan A is believed to be 13-a-side affair. Offspinner Glenn Maxwell is vying with Marsh for the allrounder’s role vacated by Shane Watson who has skipped the tour with a calf injury.

JAMES FAULKNER’S KEY STATS

* Age: 24

* State team: Tasmania

* Tests: one (v England at The Oval, August 2013)

* Test record: 45 runs at 22.50, six wickets at 16.33

* Australia Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Alex Doolan, James Faulkner (standby player), Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.