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Burns has no fear for fire in Perth cauldron

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8th December, 2019
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If Australia opener Joe Burns ends up hot and dehydrated this week, don’t be surprised to see him with a big smile on his face.

Australia and New Zealand’s Test players will have to deal with an intense Perth heatwave when they lock horns in the series opener at Optus Stadium, starting Thursday.

Temperatures of around 40 degrees are being forecast for the first three days of the inaugural day-night Test in Perth, with the stifling heat to test the mettle of players from both sides.

But Burns isn’t afraid of getting hot and bothered.

The 30-year-old has endured a topsy-turvy summer to date, and he’s desperate for a big knock against the Kiwis.

Burns scored 97 in the first Test against Pakistan, and also posted a 76 in a Sheffield Shield knock last month.

But in his past seven competitive knocks, four of them have been in single digits, with one other score of 11.

Burns, who scored just four in the second Test against Pakistan, hopes to spend a long time in the middle in the series opener against NZ – even though it will be in stifling conditions.

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“Look, if you get dehydrated, hopefully it means you’re doing something well out there,” Burns said.

“I’m looking forward to (the heat).

“It’s a lot more hotter for the Kiwis coming from NZ. I come from Brisbane, so I’m used to the heat and humidity.”

Burns posted scores of 0 and 11 when he played for Australia A against Pakistan at Optus Stadium last month.

Although Burns failed to get a decent score in that match, he said batting at the venue against the pink ball had given him vital experience heading into the first Test.

“It makes it feel a lot more familiar,” he said.

“It was our first pink ball game for about a year. The more you get exposed to it, the easier it becomes.

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“And the big benefit for our guys that played in that game, is we played at Optus, so it prepares us really well for this week.”

NZ haven’t won a Test series in Australia since their 2-1 triumph in 1985.

The Kiwis are brimming with confidence following their recent 1-0 series win over England, but they are still sweating on the fitness of star paceman Trent Boult (side strain) and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme (abdominal tear).

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