Australia v India 2014-15: Joe Burns all set to make his international debut on Boxing Day
Queensland batsman Joe Burns has been roped into Australia’s 13-man squad for the boxing day Test against India in place of the injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.
The 25-year-old, who is all set to make his international debut, has been rewarded for his stellar shows in the domestic circuit, especially in the last couple of seasons in the Sheffield Shield where he has amassed over 1000 runs at an average of close to 50.
Confirming the change, Cricket Australia (CA) said that Marsh, who is nursing a hamstring injury, will still travel with the squad, as he is very much in contention for the fourth and final Test, at Sydney.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann, who has worked with Burns while being in charge of Queensland, said: "When I [first] saw him play, I thought he could really play at the next level. It's taken him a while, he's had some ups and downs like all players do. He's put his name up at the right time. An opportunity comes up now. He's got to grab it."
Good player of fast bowling and is flexible – Lehmann
Explaining the rationale behind drafting in a batsman in place of an all-rounder, he said: “Shane Watson was one of our best bowlers at the Gabba. That made it easier to replace Marsh with a batsman, and not an allrounder. He's a very good player against fast bowling. “
He added: "He's proved that. He's played at the Gabba for the last couple of years and had a good couple of summers in Shield cricket. His performances this year have been very good.
“He got a good 180 here against Doug Bollinger and Trevor Hohns and Mark Waugh saw that and were very impressed with that. There's been some good contenders for that spot. It's always a tough call on other players but we went with Joe, a younger player. We think he's got something about him. We hope he does well."
It is understood that Burns’ flexibility and his age have led to the selectors preferring him over Ed Cowan and Adam Voges, two of the front-runners for the spot before this rabbit was pulled out of the hat.
Lehmann said: "I'll have to speak to Steven [Smith], the skipper about that. But he can fit anywhere from 1 to 6. That's the advantage with Joe, he can bat in the middle order or up high. We've got some flexibility there. It depends on which way we want to go."
Opening batsman David Warner is expected to recover in time from the minor thumb injury that he sustained while batting in the second innings at the Gabba. Fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, who returned to training after being rested for the second Test, are most likely to be back at Melbourne, as well.
Squad: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steven Smith (captain), Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin (wicket-keeper), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood