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Who is Joe Burns, Australia's latest Test debutant?

Joe needs a big one day tournament to stay in the selectors' minds. (AAP Image/Lincoln Baker)
22nd December, 2014
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Joe Burns will make his Test cricket debut for Australia on Boxing Day, barring some miracle comeback by Mitchell Marsh or an injury.

But many Aussie cricket fans who don’t follow the domestic scene might be wondering exactly who he is. We’ve broken down who he is, and how he goes about things for you, so you don’t need to do all that digging.

Where’s he from?
Burns is a Queenslander, born and raised in Brisbane Australia.

Like many young cricketers, he was identified as a talent at an early age, playing representative cricket throughout his junior years, before joining Northern Suburbs in Brisbane’s grade cricket competition.

If you’re looking for an insight into his time there, and what sort of bloke he was when he made his Shield debut in 2010/11, look no further than this article published in the Footy Almanack.

It gives you the impression Burns is a solid club man, and he’s never been gifted selection in a side because of his natural ability alone.

Two seasons as Queensland’s top run scorer, in 2011/12 and 2012/13 attests to that.

What does he do?
Burns is a top order batsman, currently slotting into the Queensland line-up as an opener.

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He can and has batted throughout the order, and his technique is as sound as they come for playing fast bowling.

Burns stands quite upright at the crease, whether on the back or front foot, and scores plenty of runs through the off side, with drives and cuts being favoured.

What are his stats?
Burns has an impressive Sheffield Shield average of 42.54 from 45 matches after debuting in the 2010/11 season. His best performances have come from his 140 on debut, and his 183 when Queensland played NSW earlier this year.

He currently sits as Queensland’s top Shield run scorer this year, with 439 runs at an average of 54.87.

Why did he get picked
The aforementioned 183, his best first class score, has to be one of the key reasons he was selected by the Aussie National Selection Panel.

He also has the advantage of youth over his rivals for the middle order batting spot currently vacated by Mitchell Marsh. Ed Cowan and Adam Voges have both scored more heavily than Burns, but as both are into their 30s they are seen as less promising long-term prospects. Burns has also scored his runs at a better average than Cameron Bancroft. Marcus Stoinis, Victoria’s opener, has a slightly better average, but less runs this season.

Burns is also seen to score faster than Cowan and Voges, though Cowan’s strike rate this summer has been a super impressive 64.90.

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Where will he bat?
He’s likely to bat somewhere in the middle order, with three and six being the spots he’s tipped to start in.

Darren Lehmann must like him
He made his Sheffield Shield debut in 2010, when Darren Lehmann was Queensland’s Sheffield Shield coach. He will make his Test debut when the very same man is in charge of the national side. Another 140 would be nice!

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