Red-hot Burns looks within for gains

Joe Burns says he's upped his game by doing some soul-searching about what works best for him rather than making any major technical changes.

The former Test opener started the JLT Sheffield Shield season in scintillating touch, notching a career-best unbeaten double century against South Australia in his side's last match before the KFC Big Bash League break.

Burns is currently the competition's third leading run-scorer having already posted 514 runs at an average of 57, which he puts down to a more level-headed mindset.

"I think for me I've just tried to stick to what I know works for Joe Burns, I've tried to be really true to myself," Burns told cricket.com.au.

"I know I've got the game to succeed at the highest level as long as I'm ticking all my own boxes, taking full ownership of my preparation and the way I want to play and just trusting and developing my success."

Axed during last year's Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, Burns won a recall for the infamous Hobart Test against South Africa before being promptly discarded after a single match and hasn't played for Australia since.

He finished with 724 runs at 40.22 for the '16-17 Shield season – Queensland's highest mark – and after his hot start to this summer, Burns says he has a better understand of his own game.

"I'd like to think I'm always trying to get better, every game I play every training session, but I think just trying to be really authentic to who I am," the 28-year-old said.

"I've got a better understanding of who Joe Burns the batsman is, and how Joe Burns is going to have success, and I think you need to ride the ups and downs to get to that point to have a good understanding of your own game.

"I wouldn't necessarily say I've got more skills or less skills than I had before, I've just got a better understanding of what my game is and how to have success with my game."

The right-hander is currently enjoying the result of his renewed focus but isn't ready to see his purple patch end any time soon.

"I'm coming into an age now where most batters come into prime and I really want to cash in on all the experience I've had in the past," Burns continued.

"I want to make sure I've learnt from everything and I guess make sure I continue the good form that I'm in now."

While a Test recall is in the back of his mind, he's not letting the bigger picture - Australia's Qantas Tour of South Africa early next year - distract him from the task at hand.

"I guess it's an ambition to always play for Australia, everyone in Australia wants to play for their country, but when I walk to the crease I'm experienced enough now to not make the game harder than what it needs to be and not worry about selection," Burns said. 

"I love playing for Queensland I just want to go out there and make as many runs as I can for my state and win a Sheffield Shield with Queensland.

"I guess if I'm ticking those boxes you never know what can happen with national selection but I try to keep it really, really simple."

With Burns' journey of self-discovery clearly paying dividends out in the middle, it's no surprise his approach to being axed from the national side is nothing short of resilient.

"Being dropped is an incredibly challenging part of professional sport, in particular cricket when you're trying to play for your country," Burns said.

"I think the best piece of advice I can give anyone, not just the recent guys who've missed out on Test selection but anyone, is don't try and hide away from the fact it does suck and it does hurt – you want it to hurt, it's playing for your country.

"I guess just have a few days to yourself and then come back with a really focussed mind, a really high work ethic and trust that you'll get back and trust your game.

"It was good enough in the past, and if you do all the right things you can have success in the future."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21