The Australian opening slot is in doubt ahead of the test series against India. Many contenders have tried their luck but failed. Only one spot in the opening pair is fixed and that is of the southpaw David Warner. Players like Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris were tried with Warner and they finally have stuck with Joe Burns for over a year now.
It seems that Burns is favorite to open the innings along with Warner but Burns had a poor run ahead of the series in the Sheffield Shield tournament. He has scored 57 runs in 5 innings averaging 11.40 and 29 being his highest score in the tournament. In the same tournament Will Pucovski, the right handed batsmen from Victoria has caught eye of every person by scoring 495 runs in 3 innings with the highest average in the tournament of 247.50. He is being considered as the perfect partner to Warner ahead of the series considering the form he is in.
Ricky Ponting, former World Cup winning Australian captain feels that the selectors should back Burns for the first test against India. He added that while he himself was captain of the team, he always looked to back players no matter what happens. He believes that Burns has done enough to earn his spot in the team. He played a brilliant innings of 97 against Pakistan last year. People tend to forget past innings quickly and hence they feel that Burns should be dropped added the former Aussie skipper.
Ponting added that he was surprised to know that Warner’s preference will also be considered ahead of the selection. He says that Warner has played with Burns in the past and will likely put his name ahead for the selection. Ponting also feels that it is not necessary that he should be played in the opening slot, he can play as middle order batsmen as well. If the team is not going for a all rounder in the team, the selectors can go for him ahead of Cameron Green.
Ponting also said that Will is a young lad and has a bright long career ahead of him. He will definitely get his chance in the coming future.
Australia will host India for a full series starting 27th November and the tests will start from 17th December.
