Joe Burns set to prove sixth time is the charm after another recall to Test team

Test captain Tim Paine has backed Queensland’s Joe Burns to seize his chance at the top of the order when he opens for Australia at the Gabba Test starting Thursday.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 20: Australian cricketer Joe Burns poses during a portrait session at The Gabba on November 20, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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Australian captain Tim Paine says Joe Burns is in the “prime of his career” and has backed the recalled opener to make the most of his sixth coming in the baggy green.

Queenslander Burns will open the batting when Australia takes on Pakistan in the first Test of the summer at the Gabba on Thursday.

Burns, 30, returns to the Test arena for the first time since February after missing Australia’s entire Ashes campaign.

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Joe Burns is poised to return to the Test arena for the first time since February. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Burns made 180 in his last Test appearance against Sri Lanka, but was dropped for the fifth time in his career after taking a six-week break to recover from fatigue in the lead-up to the Ashes.

With a solid average of 40.1 and four centuries in 16 Tests, selectors recalled Burns for the Pakistan series as they search for a solid opening combination after Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris failed against England.

Burns has scored seven of his 17 first class tons at the Gabba and Paine said Australia had a battle-hardened batsman to open alongside David Warner.

“We know what we’re going to get from Burnsy,” he said.

“He’s a hardened first class opening batter and bats at the Gabba a lot where it’s hard to score runs, particularly at the top of the order.

“He knows his game really well and is really confident.

Joe Burns celebrates reaching his century, against Sri Lanka, in his most recent Test. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“He’s been picked now when he’s in the prime of his career and playing as well as he ever has.

“He’s similar to Matthew Wade. We’ve picked those guys at the right time and they’ll make the most of this opportunity.”

Warner, a 79-Test veteran, had a torrid Ashes campaign, scoring only 95 runs in 10 innings as Australia failed to post a first-wicket partnership above 18 in the five-match series.

Warner’s reputation has seen him retained for the upcoming Australian summer and Burns said he couldn’t wait to bat with the explosive opener again.

“I am looking forward to opening with him,” he said.

“I have always enjoyed opening with him – the left and right handed combination. I also try to learn as much as I can off him.

“Even when we played a Sheffield Shield game against NSW at the Gabba I had the chance to talk to him about batting.

“The way he thinks about the game is something all other opening batters can learn off.’’

Joe Burns (left) and David Warner (right) sit together on the pitch at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Australia will play two Tests against Pakistan, including a day-night fixture in Adelaide, followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand.

The relatively weak summer is a golden opportunity for Burns to cement his place at the top of Australia’s batting order following five years of uncertainty after he debuted in the 2014 Boxing Day Test against India.

Star batsman Steve Smith said he expected Burns to fire on his home deck despite facing a potent Pakistan pace attack.

“He’s been batting very well,” Smith said.

“He’s played Test cricket before and had some success.

“He’s got four Test hundreds. He’s been here and done it before.

“He plays in Queensland and knows the Gabba wicket extremely well.

“I look forward to seeing how he performs. There’s no doubt he will do very well.”