Quantcast

Burns pushing for Test recall

Queensland batsman ready to step up if selectors decide to make changes to Australia's Ashes XI

Joe Burns will use the JLT One-Day Cup and three Sheffield Shield games to push his case for a Test recall, the axed opener saying he is versatile enough to bat anywhere in the order.

The Australian top five appears fairly settled, but questions remain over who comes in next against England in the first Ashes Test in November.

Having debuted at No.6 in the 2014 Boxing Day Test against India, Burns is confident he could again play that role if required.

But he knows only weight of runs will count as incumbents Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright, as well as contenders like Travis Head, Jake Lehmann and Kurtis Patterson, build their case for the job.


"I played my first two Tests at six and feel like I've shown throughout my career I can bat anywhere in the order," he said.

"You don't focus on getting selected though, you just make sure you're playing good cricket and making as many runs as you can."

Aussies collapse as India go 2-0 up

Despite scoring back-to-back half centuries, Burns was dropped after playing two Tests before earning a recall to open alongside David Warner.

He scored heavily in Australia and New Zealand before being axed on the tour of Sri Lanka and eventually unseated by Bulls teammate Matt Renshaw last summer.

In response, Burns averaged a touch over 40 to top the Queensland run charts last season.

While Renshaw is in the box seat to open with Warner in the first Gabba Test, Burns says he has the luxury of having done it all before if selectors opt to pick a specialist batsman at six.

"There's a lot of different ways to balance out a team depending on the state of the wicket and opposition," said the 28-year-old.

"But from my point of view, having success at international level gives you a lot of confidence.

"I'm hitting the ball very well and done a lot work over the winter."

Burns will play for Queensland in their one-day cup opener against the CA XI on September 29 alongside Renshaw and Usman Khawaja.