Australia v India 1st Test result: Joe Burns’ redemption story, Boxing Day Test teams

Joe Burns repaid the faith of Australia’s selectors and coach Justin Langer, but an unlucky blow has cast a cloud over his preparations for the Boxing Day Test.

Joe Burns found something in his game that had been lost all summer when he exploded to life with a late flourish and spectacular finish to one of the most extraordinary days of Test cricket ever played.

The Queenslander gave a rousing exhibition of what it means to never give up, as he bravely shrugged off a brutal blow to his forearm and the weight of the nation on his shoulders to bring up the winning runs with a thrilling six, which also brought up a fitting half-century.

Burns raised his arms in triumph and then walked into the warm embrace of coach Justin Langer, the man who has not stopped backing his charger over a month when almost everyone else had.

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Joe Burns is congratulated by coach Justin Langer. Picture: Getty

After averaging just 6 from nine innings heading into the first Test, Burns was under enormous pressure to avoid a double failure, and he rose to the occasion despite copping a nasty fast ball from Jasprit Bumrah to his elbow which may require a scan.

Ex-Test opener Michael Slater described Burns’ physical and mental toughness as “Langer-like”.

“It’s pretty sore. I might numb it with a few beers,” said a relieved Burns on Fox Cricket.

“It feels bloody nice. Obviously in the build-up I didn’t get may runs. I just wanted to keep fighting hard and make people proud. It was a really nice moment to walk off with a win for Australia.

“To be honest, I was just trying to keep it as simple as possible. I know I can do the basics well. JL has been fantastic obviously and the selectors sticking with me helps.”

Joe Burns entered the Test series on the back of a horror lead-in. Picture: Getty

David Warner praised Burns from Melbourne and was another alongside Langer who had the opener’s back all the way.

Langer declared a month ago, even before Warner and Will Pucovski were injured, that he would be backing Burns in and sending a message that incumbency means something in the Australian dressing room.

There was the option for selectors to replace Burns with Victorian Marcus Harris, who had better Sheffield Shield form coming into the Test – but they never wavered.

Burns rewarded their faith in style.

“Yeah, absolutely. Burnsy is a really important part of our team,” said proud captain Tim Paine, who was named man of the match for the first time in his career.

Australia's captain Tim Paine congratulates Joe Burns. Picture: AFP

“All cricketers know how hard it is when you’re going through a run like that. Coming out to a Test trying to get your way out of it is a very difficult place to be.”

Burns had made nine scores under 30 to start the summer, but his 51 not out in Adelaide has cemented his place for Boxing Day and perhaps beyond – provided his arm pulls up OK following a gutsy knock.

CALL TO PUT PUCOVKSI DEBUT ON ICE

By Andrew Capel

Former Test batsman Callum Ferguson says Australia should put young batting star Will Pucovski’s Test debut on hold and rule him out of the four-match series against India because of his concussion issues.

In line to make a dream Test debut at his home ground the MCG on Boxing Day, Pucovski is recovering from a ninth concussion, suffered after being hit in the helmet by a short ball from India’s Kartik Tyagi while batting for Australia A last week.

The incident cost 22-year-old Victorian Pucovski a Test debut in the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval.

With no Sheffield Shield cricket to be played again until February because of BBL10, Ferguson said Australia should draw a line through Pucovski until he can prove himself against the short ball at first-class level again.

Will Pucovski was felled by a short ball in Australia A’s tour match against India A.

Ferguson, the Sydney Thunder captain, said he was “staggered’’ Pucovski was still in the Australian selection mix.

“I’m staggered that we are still talking about it,’’ he told ABC radio.

“He has had so many hard hits to the head, glancing blows have seen him leave the field in the past two or three years where other players would have just taken the helmet off, looked at it and said that’s fine and kept batting.

“We are talking about a young man who has had considerable mental health issues and considerable concussion issues and what we do know is how much of an effect concussions, and multiple concussions, have on people over a length of time.

“We are seeing concussion affect people as early as their late 30s or early 40s, so I can’t believe we are talking about bringing a young lad, who is 22, back into a Test side to face this Indian attack, which is flying high at the moment.

“Sending him out to face the music in the shape that he’s been in over the past week-and-a-half, I just cannot believe we are talking about it.’’

Ferguson said Pucovski needed to play some strong club and first-class cricket before being considered for a Test call-up.

Pucovski has suffered concussion nine times at the age of 22.

“He needs to go back and show he is able to compete again at club level, then hopefully at Shield level,’’ he said.

“The problem we have is the significant period of time we now have before he’s able to play Shield cricket again, that’s a real issue but far less of an issue than his mental and physical health for the rest of his life.

“He’s copped another bad hit the other day, I’ve seen more solid hits, but it was enough for him to go off the ground groggy again.

“We all know what Test cricket is like, that the minute the opposition side gets a whiff of a weakness or a chink in the armour they attack and they attack really hard.

“If you’ve got a weakness to the short ball, if you’re ever going to get tested it’s out in Australia.

“So I’m not sure sending a young man, age 22, out to face this Indian attack on fast, bouncy wickets in Australia, when we haven’t had a chance to send him back to club land or Shield cricket to build his confidence back up, is the right thing for this young man.

“So I’m putting a line through him for this Test series.’’

Australian coach Justin Langer said Cricket Australia‘s concussion protocols will determine whether Pucovski is considered for a Test debut in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Originally published as Australia v India 1st Test result: Joe Burns’ redemption story, Boxing Day Test teams