Joe Burns has private net session at Queensland’s new training centre in bid to save Test spot

Joe Burns had first use of Australian cricket’s new state of the art training facility as he fights to retain his position in the Test team.

Joe Burns was dismissed for a duck against India at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Joe Burns’ desperation to save his Test place shone through when he provided the unexpected soft opening for Australian cricket’s new training centre.

Before heading south to join the Australian camp, Burns loaned some pink balls from Queensland cricket, organised his own net bowlers and went and had his own private session at the $18.8 million National Cricket Campus in Brisbane.

The state of the art facility is yet to bear fruit for the struggling Burns, but is a major boost to Australian cricket as a resource to be utilised by international, national, State teams, pathway programs and community cricket.

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The campus which partners with the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club, is in addition to Brisbane’s existing National Cricket Centre at Allan Border Field.

“The official opening of these stages of the National Cricket Campus at Shaw Road is a wonderful milestone,” said CA chief executive, Nick Hockley.

“The considerable benefits of the Campus will be felt at every level of the game, from elite performance through to junior cricket.”

Trevor Evans the Federal MP for Brisbane said the multi-million dollar project reaffirmed Brisbane’s status as the home of Australian cricket.

“This project is so exciting not only for Brisbane, but for the entire cricket community around the country,” he said.

“World-class facilities like this continue to strengthen Brisbane’s place on every sport lover’s map.

“These new world-class facilities will ensure that all our cricketers have the amenities and playing grounds to thrive, as well as nurture our next generation of Tim Paines and Meg Lannings.”

CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE: JOE’S RUN OF OUTS CONTINUE

Selectors may have no choice but to consider outside reinforcements for the first Test after embattled opener Joe Burns slumped to his eighth consecutive low score of the summer.

Burns nicked off for a duck to just his second ball from Indian speed demon Jasprit Bumrah, with Test legend Allan Border fearing the Queenslander is devoid of confidence less than a week out from the Adelaide opener.

Opening partner Marcus Harris made 26 before he became one of Mohammed Shami’s three victims, but the Victorian must be close to coming in from outside the Australian squad to play in the first Test.

Joes Burns horror run of form continued when he was out for a duck at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

Harris made a double century and a 71 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and has showed some toughness at the crease in his two tour matches against the Indians without making a big score.

Australian coach Justin Langer refused to rule out an SOS for Shaun Marsh on Friday, while Usman Khawaja may also come into calculations based on Burns’ form, David Warner’s injury and the concussion clouds hanging over Will Pucovski and Cameron Green.

Border said Burns’ footwork had disappeared as the 31-year-old cut a despondent figure as he walked from the field for his second duck in a row against the very attack Australia will face in Adelaide.

There is one last hope for Burns – with the mass of wickets falling on day one suggesting he will bat again in the three-day match.

“You couldn’t write a worse script for Joe Burns,” said Border on Fox Cricket. “That was a pretty straight delivery which didn’t seem to do much. Footwork is just not there for Joe.

“He’s just not confident at all. His footwork is going nowhere. He’s just hanging the bat and he’s a very disappointed man walking off.

“He’ll feel that was his last chance. Maybe not. Things might work out.”

Joe Burns didn’t help his cause for a spot in the Test team with another failure. Picture: Getty Images

In normal circumstances, Burns would appear next to no chance to play in the first Test – but these aren’t normal circumstances.

Burns still cannot be completely ruled out because of the carnage going on around him.

If Pucovski and Green do not play in Adelaide, Australia will need two openers, and at this stage Burns is the only other specialist opener in the squad.

Harris would almost certainly be called in as a starting point, but Australia may feel it needs other reinforcements as well.

India were bowled out for 194 batting first. Bumrah starred for India with a crucial 55 not out off 57 balls, and took two wickets with the ball.

Australia A were all out for 108, giving India a first innings lead of 86.

There were bizarre scenes at the end with No.11 Harry Conway, who was peppered by short balls by the Indians before being inexplicably run out.

Conway was extremely animated and it was unclear whether he was unwell or agitated at the treatment he was copping, which included one ball which deflected into his helmet.

Conway went away with the team doctor after play, although there was no confirmation whether he was the subject of concussion concerns.

Originally published as Joe Burns has private net session at Queensland’s new training centre in bid to save Test spot