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Joe Burns’ last dig in a baggy green, in April last year, was a 42 in Johannesburg as the replacement opener for the suspended David Warner.
Not Earth-shattering, but in the context of the situation, it’s worthy of mention.
Peter Handscomb contributed 24, but the rest of the line-up failed to get out of single figures – all nine of them.
For the record – Matt Renshaw (5), Usman Khawaja (7), Shaun Marsh (7), Mitchell Marsh (0), Tim Paine (7), Pat Cummins (1), Chadd Sayers (0), and Josh Hazlewood (9*). Even the extras were only eight.
Australia was all out for 119 in 46.4 overs to be thumped by 492 runs.
But Burns hasn’t been sighted since, while Aaron Finch has played five Tests, batted ten times in scoring 278, averaging 27.8 with 62 on debut against Pakistan in Dubai, and 50 against India in Perth, his top scores.
Burns’ career stats burn Finch’s – 14 Tests, 25 digs, 919 runs at 36.76 with three tons: 129 against New Zealand at the Gabba, 128 against the Windies at the MCG, and 170 against New Zealand in Christchurch, as well as four half-centuries.
Daylight.
Burns’ credentials have grown with 472 Sheffield Shield runs for Queensland this season at 47.20, including four half-centuries.
Trevor Hohns, Greg Chappell and Justin Langer can correct their mistake by sitting down with Burns and telling him he has two Tests against Sri Lanka to cement his berth in the Australian squad for the Ashes in England, where they haven’t won a series since 2001.
That’s a litmus test Burns would relish, especially as the Gabba is his backyard where he knows every blade of grass by their Christian names.
Burns will go to England on that basis, putting pressure on the expected openers Warner and Marcus Harris, even locking in a lower order spot.
He’s a talented cricketer.
Joe Burns (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
But Glenn Maxwell has more God-given talent than anyone else in Australia, which he consistently abuses.
Let’s have no more ‘selectors are at fault for not picking Maxwell’, it’s entirely Maxwell’s fault.
He has let the nation down with the exception of one innings in 14 visits to the Test crease – the 104 on a difficult pitch at Ranchi, in March 2017.
The other 13 featured one 40, two 30s, two 20s, three other double figures, and five single figures for 339 runs at 26.07.
In two fewer innings in the same Tests, Steve Smith scored 607 at 55.18 with top scores of 178*, 111, 97, and 58.
Daylight.
Maxwell has only batted four times for the Vics in the Shield this season for three dismissals in posting 126 runs at 42.
So Maxwell is worth another crack – if given the ultimatum by the selectors that it’s his last chance.
Tell him he also has two Tests against Sri Lanka to prove his point in the knowledge a Maxwell contributing his wonderful natural ability would be the perfect fit at number six.
That means Maxwell has to knuckle down and curb his smart-arse batting to ‘entertain’ and use his combination of natural ability and immense power to accumulate runs as a responsible international.
He’ll still keep the scoreboard working overtime by just playing every ball on its merits, that’s the Maxwell way.
And by realising his unlimited potential, he would provide a huge bonus to the batting order.
So give Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell the chance to prove they are worthy of regular recognition.