Test rookie Joe Burns all but booked his place in Australia’s squad for the Ashes later this year with a free-swinging half-century against India on day four of the fourth Test.
With Australia pressing for quick runs to set the game up for the fifth day, Burns hit 66 off 39 balls on Friday at the SCG, to go with his first Test half-century of 58 in the first innings.
Australia next play two Test in the West Indies before the first Test against England at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens starting on July 8.
Injured skipper Michael Clarke will be back for the trip to Britain, but barring catastrophe Burns will likely make the trip to the Old Dart.
Burns hit three sixes and eight fours as he switched into short form mode to put his disappointing first Test effort of 13 and 9 in the third Test at the MCG behind him.
“You feel a lot more confident when you are contributing to a win,” Burns said.
“I was disappointed with my effort in Melbourne.
“It was lots of fun, just nice to contribute to the team and get us in a good position.
“On such a big occasion it means a lot more to go out there and make 50 in both innings.”
Burns grassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar early in the day in a simple chance at bat-pad off Nathan Lyon and said he had to quickly put that behind him to stay in the game.
“Any dropped catch is disappointing; it is the worst feeling in the game. At short leg it is no different,” Burns said.
“But you have to move on quickly especially at short leg because the opportunities are so sharp that you have to be switched on the whole time.
“I don’t think it impacted on my batting at all. Once you get the pads on, you put everything behind you and go from there.”
Bob Sims
Guest
Good to see Joe Burns get amongst the runs. His battle was to get into the Test team and now that he has done that, and scored some runs, he will no doubt be in the touring squad. With the return of Clarke and Mitch Marsh,there will be jousting for spots, which is healthy. Would love to see him stay at #5 and be groomed to take over #3, a la Ponting.
SCC
Guest
Bailey was also very handy
Red Kev
Roar Guru
It's what Australia does, I believe wearing the helmet there is their version of hazing. Doolan was very good there, must be something about Tasmania because Boony remains the best ever.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
I'm not sure about the comment about woeful fielding. He does look out of position there but my understanding is that he is quite good in slips for Qld. I heard the radio commentary say he'd never fielded at short leg before...so rather than question his abilities, perhaps the tactical decision to place him there should be questioned, aside from the general standard of the fielding. I'm sure every good fieldsman would be good at short leg and there's also been a bit of discussion about putting the newby at short leg irrespective of whether he has done it previously or not. Mitchell Johnson is a very good outfielder but you likely wouldn't put him at slip...
Larney
Guest
He has done well. Even if he doesn't make it to the Ashes tour, I am sure he will be around in the future. I can't see Cowan being on the radar, but what do I know?!
Matt
Roar Rookie
Smith, Marsh and Haddin have dropped easy catches as well this tour
Bearfax
Guest
Good to see the selectors are finally taking the risk with the younger breed such as M. Marsh and Burns. Watson has been a fine all rounder for us but I think his star is on the wane and unless at No 6 as the only all rounder, I would give him the golden watch. Shaun Marsh is far too inconsistent for test cricket and at 31 years with a mid 30s average in both test and first class, his time should be up for the younger breed if we are seriously looking to the future. If I was a selector I would have Rogers Warner Smith Clarke Burns M. Marsh as my test batsmen line up. That's a pretty solid line up with five batsmen with 40+ first class averages and a rising all rounder.
Pat Malone
Guest
Shouldn't the headline be"burns shows he is test material" the obsession with the ashes is getting unhealthy and disrespectful of SA, NZ etc
Ray
Guest
So we know he can tonk, but can he bat under normal tight test conditions. I found his batting yesterday was selective at least and a bit more convincing. Worth persevering with.
Brian
Guest
Agreed. It seems like if your name doesn't end with Marsh you need to perform instantly or get unceremoniously dropped and never picked again.
Adsa
Guest
Captain Smith grassed a sitter in the slips after the spider cam drop. So don't be too harsh on him.
Rob JM
Guest
Short leg is a ridiculous position against quality batsman on flat pitches!
Nordburg
Guest
There are some dead set morons that are passing comment about Joe Burns.The bloke is only 25 so let's give him a fair go.Big chance that come the next test 11 that is selected he may not be there due to the returns of Clarke and Marsh,but to suggest he is not next cab off the rank and blokes like Cowan should jump ahead of him,have no idea about the situation in Australian cricket.He has scored plenty of Shield runs,which is the pre requisite and whilst a nervy 1st test,which is understandable,he did all he could in his 2nd.Both innings at the SCG he was on a hiding to nothing and made 50's.Yes he has yet to show in Test cricket that he can make runs in desperate times but he at least deserves a chance to prove it.As for a dropped catch at short leg,everybody drops catches,even the captain dropped 2,but to suggest he should be flicked for dropping one at a fielding position that is as specialised as Slips is just stupid. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Larney
Guest
Yes i do have to agree.
SCC
Guest
He needed to get those runs just to offset his woeful fielding. You can't seriously worship the guy for his batting when he was the guy that made it necessary, to a degree... Good on him tho, great tenacity and strength, just let's look at the entire match...