Australia v India 3rd Test squad: Will Pucovski, David Warner set to replace Joe Burns, Travis Head

Expect a much different-looking line-up for the home side when the India series reconvenes at the SCG next week as the faltering top order prepares for a breath of fresh air

Travis Head and Joe Burns are facing the axe as Australia prepares to welcome back David Warner and Will Pucovski for the third Test.

There is supreme confidence Warner will muscle his way through fitness tests and play the third rubber even though it falls inside the six-week mark in his return from a serious groin injury.

While captain Tim Paine revealed he is similarly optimistic about the prospects of a shock Pucovski debut, with the 22-year-old set to return to the camp just over three weeks after he suffered the ninth concussion of his young career.

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Joe Burns (L) could be out, but Will Pucovski is firming for a Test debut.

Many had written off Pucovski for the summer due to his worrying history with head knocks, but his surprise return to the frame spells massive trouble for Head, who has been exposed as a problem in Australia’s middle-order.

Burns looks almost certain to be dropped for Warner – who trained again at the MCG on Tuesday – but Head now also faces an anxious wait as the delicate issue of Pucovski’s future firms into view for selectors.

Paine expects Warner and Pucovski to both put their hands up for selection, and a revamp of the Australian top six could be looming large, following a selection meeting before the final day’s play of Australia’s chastening eight-wicket loss to India at the MCG.

“David looks really good from what I’ve seen. He’s obviously been training this week in the nets and started running between the wickets. The early signs with him are very good for the third Test which is awesome for us,” said Paine.

“And Will Pucovski is in a similar boat. He’s not far away. I think there’s some return to play protocols that he has, or needs to tick off, but my conversations with Will is he is pretty close to a return.”

Pucovski has been training for the past couple of weeks, including a session at Junction Oval on Tuesday, but is yet to face Australia’s frontline quicks or do any serious batting of any sort in the nets.

Selectors must confront some tough questions about whether they’re prepared to put Pucovski back in the line of fire after so many head knocks in his young career. But now that he is symptom free the other question is, if not now, then when?

Victorian coach Chris Rogers said Pucovski handled the short ball very well earlier this season in the Sheffield Shield, and the crucial factor is the 22-year-old himself has indicated he is mentally ready for a debut.

“Yeah he does. My conversations with him is he does feel OK and he’s excited to come back inside the bubble and prepare,” said Paine.

“Whether or not he’s ticked off the return to play protocols that are in place I’m not totally sure.”

David Warner hasn’t been available since suffering a groin injury last month. Picture: AFP

Warner and Pucovski’s return to the fold could mean a complete change at the top of the order for the next Test.

If Burns is axed for Warner, selectors would then have to decide if they stick with Matthew Wade at the top of the order or move him back to the middle.

Pucovski has batted only as an opener this season, but No.5 might be a more comfortable way to debut him given he won’t have played a match in over a month by the time the third Test kicks off on January 7.

Head has a solid Test average of 40, but commentators believe he is guilty of getting out the same way too often and not learning from his mistakes.

Travis Head had a forgettable Test and could be facing the axe. Picture: Getty

Test great Ian Chappell told Channel 9 he does not see Head as a Test batsman because he is too vulnerable in too many areas.

Opener Marcus Harris and all-rounder Moises Henriques are the other batting options in Australia’s squad, but Paine said changes weren’t necessarily needed.

“No, not necessarily. You just need to bat better. We need to be scoring runs as the top seven of the Australian cricket team and if you’re not, obviously they’ll look for other people.

“But I think we have the best people here at the moment. We just haven’t been good enough to get the job done.”