Australian selectors have reportedly revealed the make-up of the XI for the first Test to the squad.
While the line-up won’t be officially confirmed until the toss on Thursday, multiple outlets are reporting the entire squad was told at lunchtime on Wednesday who will be taking to the field for the first Border-Gavaskar match tomorrow, and it’s good news for Joe Burns.
The Queensland opener, who is in a horrible form rut at the moment, is set to retain his place at the top of the order, with Matthew Wade to open alongside him.
Wade has never opened in a Test match, but his promotion up the batting line-up allows for the inclusion of young all-rounder Cameron Green, who has been passed fit to play despite a nasty head knock last week.
Marcus Harris has reportedly missed out on the side after failing to demand selection with a big score for Australia A recently.
Steve Smith is also fit for the series opener. The world’s best Test batsmen had Australian fans worried when he was a notable absentee from the side’s net session yesterday, but according to Tim Paine the cause was only back soreness.
At any rate, he was back in the nets on matchday eve, and is all set to bat at number four behind Marnus Labuschange at first drop.
South Australian skipper Travis Head will come in at five on his home deck, with Green at six and captain Paine at seven.
The bowling attack is as expected with the full-strength pace battery of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood supported by spinner Nathan Lyon.
India are yet to announce their line-up, with confirmation of their XI also not expected until the toss.
1. Joe Burns
2. Matthew Wade
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Cameron Green
7. Tim Paine (c, wk)
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
So you don't even know if JL voted for Burns.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Obviously at least 2 of them are as he's in the team.
Rohan
Roar Rookie
Do you think he could be bounced out of the game forever? A disturbing thought eh?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Bernie said: One of the selectors, who shouldn’t even be on the selection panel, has way too much say. Again Bernie, how about you share your sources on the inner workings of the NSP?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
JGK: Yep, having friendly media makes a shedload of difference...
JGK
Roar Guru
Ah, the Gladys B defence. Funny how much better it worked out for her.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That’s true although I think pain through us in to bowl last test of the ashes after 3 day turn around from 100 overs of bowling
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm sure Cricket Australia are closely monitoring Puckovski's health and you can be sure he's being evaluated by highly skilled professionals. If they sign off that he's right to play, he'll be in for sure and there's zero negligence on CA parts IF they get the okay from the appropriate medical staff.
Joel Brownlee
Guest
Puckovski has made piles of runs whilst warner is injured and the incumbent is averaging 4 I think across his last 8 digs, quite easy to contemplate it if signed off as fit.
JB
Guest
Burns making any runs in either innings test shield or grade cricket would be an improvement, he is horribly out of form low in confidence and dreading every ball that comes his way. I like Burns but this is not the right time for him to be playing it might end his test career all together.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You're struggling with the comebacks here...hence spurious footy comments from 5 years ago on a cricket site.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Bernie, would you please reveal your sources as to how you know which selector(s) are backing Burns?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
I don't think there's any chance of WP being picked, possibly by anyone, this season.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Haha, and you don't? Gee mate, I remember what you were like after the 2015 prelim. Feral doesn't even begin to encompass it
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Pierro said: :stoked: That’s not actually true I don’t think smith had any idea they were using sandpaper or sanctioned it. 'Fraid it "actually" is: "I walked past something and had the opportunity to stop it, and I didn't do it," Smith said in his first media appearance since arriving back in Australia in March. "That was my leadership failure. It was the potential for something to happen and it went on and happened out in the field and I had the opportunity to stop it at that point." SPD Smith, 21Dec18
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
They are close without being in each other's pockets. They have a lot of love and respect for each other even if they don't hang out together much.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Like that.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I don't think I have ever had or sought serious debate with you , Paul. You just operate in the field of snitchy put-downs with everyone.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You're struggling to support a weak argument here. You concede his sound batting with an unsupportable "but...".
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If home form "hides the cracks", it means he is in form and the "cracks" might be imagined. His f orm for Tassie is strong. Did well in the Oz A game batting with Green, too.