WELLINGTON: In-form batsman Usman Khawaja has been recalled to the Australian side as the world champions fight to stay alive in their one-day international series against New Zealand on Saturday.

Victory for New Zealand at their Westpac Stadium fortress would see them wrap up the series with a game to spare and snap a remarkable run by Australia who have won their last six ODI series and the World Cup over the past two years.

Shaun Marsh was surprisingly preferred to Khawaja in the team thrashed by 159 runs in Auckland on Wednesday in the first tie of the three-match series.

Khawaja, who has not played an ODI for three years but scored centuries in three consecutive Tests against New Zealand and the West Indies late last year, said Australia have already put the ODI humiliation behind them.

“We just had an off-day the other day. It happens no matter who you are, you don’t have to worry about that. We’re a good enough team if we do the basics right,” he said.

The 29-year-old Pakistan-born left-hander also downplayed his golden run of form in Tests, saying the ODIs in New Zealand conditions were a new challenge.

“The past is done. I’m feeling really good right now but that doesn’t mean I’m going to contribute runs,” he said after surveying the wicket at Westpac Stadium on Friday.

The third and final ODI will be played in Hamilton on Monday.