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It’s the web session that shows that the opener contest for the first test in Adelaide is far from over.
Joe Burns was just a ball against Michael Nesser and James Pattinson when Australian coach Justin Langer dropped the case.
Indian cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan said it was clear to observers that Langer was seeing something he didn’t like.
“It was a harmless delivery of a net bowler-bowling pace with the left arm that Burns flicked around the corner. But in that brief moment, Langer seemed to have spotted a problem that he believed needed immediate attention, ”Sundaresan wrote for CricBuzz.com
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“To the extent that he literally stormed into the net to grab the out of shape batsman. What followed was a lively conversation of about a minute in which Langer appeared to make the law.
“It was not clear from afar what the coach was asking of the right-hander. But it seemed very clear that anything Langer needed from Burns was non-negotiable. “
Langer’s intervention would suggest that Australia has not yet closed the book on Burns, despite the reigning opener in the worst shape of his career.
So far this season he has managed a meager 62 runs from nine top-notch innings with an average of 6.89. His highest score is 29.
His last four results against the touring Indians are dismal 4, 0, 0 and 1.
Burns is believed to be in a battle with Marcus Harris for last place in the XI for the First Test.
Matthew Wade is expected to climb to the top of the rankings after it was confirmed that all-rounder Cameron Green will make his debut if he passes concussion logs on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Lamger is publicly saying the right things to indicate that he is ready to stand by the 31-year-old.
“I’ve been talking to Joe for the last week or so,” Langer said on Tuesday.
“I claimed I supported Joey privately and publicly all along. He’s a very good player.
“You don’t lose your talent overnight.
“He also understands that runs are the greatest currency for any player. He was a little noisy, but we’ll have a look at him.
“We’ll see him today. We’ll see how he’s doing. We’ll have a chat with him today and decide who opens the next day or so. “
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It comes when Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting also threw his support behind Burns, and he says the incumbent has a key edge over Harris that some overlook.
“I’m sticking with Joe Burns,” said Ponting on Channel Seven.
“I’ve heard a lot of suggestions that he didn’t get enough runs to stay on the side, but I’m keeping him there.
“He made 40 in his last Test innings, he made four Test hundreds, almost 40 on average – I’ll stick with him and show some confidence. I think he’s good enough to get through.
“What Marcus Harris didn’t do is score hundreds (test) – (his) highest score is an odd 70, Joe Burns can score hundreds of test matches. I stay with him. “
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It’s a similar tune from former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin who says consistency will work in Burns’ favor.
“I choose Joe Burns,” Haddin said on Fox Cricket’s follow-on podcast.
“With David Warner’s injury, I think you need some consistency at the top of the order. I know his form didn’t matter, but sometimes you can try too hard, which can lead to a summer for someone who and wasn’t on the test team like Joe Burns.
“Once he’s named on this team, he’ll have all the resources you have around the Australian cricket team. I can imagine someone like Justin Langer would be great if he ricocheted off as the opening hitter himself. “
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