Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke split on Australian Test XI for first Test vs India

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke are at odds over who should open the batting as Australia deals with a major headache before the first Test.

Australia's Test XI is up in the air.

Former captains Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke are split on who should opening the batting for Australia in the first Test against India as the top order poses the biggest question mark for the hosts ahead of the series opener.

David Warner is out injured, Will Pucovski was ruled out with concussion, incumbent opener Joe Burns has barely scored a run all summer and Marcus Harris failed to make a statement in both Australia A games, leaving selectors with tough decisions to make about who will face the new ball.

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Clarke wants 37-year-old veteran Shaun Marsh brought into the squad to partner Matthew Wade, but doesn’t believe selectors will go that way. With Marsh absent, he’s predicting Wade will walk out with Harris.

Ponting, however, has thrown his support behind Burns despite a horrid run of low scores. The right-hander played all five Tests last home summer but has managed just 62 runs from nine first class innings this season.

Still, Ponting believes Burns deserves a shot given his impressive Test record, which includes four centuries in 21 matches at an average of 38.3.

“I’m sticking with Joe Burns,” Ponting told Channel 7 during last night’s Big Bash coverage.

“I’ll have a lot of messages and suggestions coming my way that he hasn’t scored enough runs to stay in the side, but I’m keeping him in there.

“Forty in his last Test innings, he’s made four Test match hundreds, averages almost 40 — I’m sticking with him and showing some faith.”

Joe Burns is in the worst form imaginable.

Marsh has long been a frustrating figure among cricket fans and his international career looked over when he was excluded from Australia and Australia A squads earlier in the summer.

However, a stunning run of Sheffield Shield form in which he cracked 485 runs with three tons at an average of 97, combined with Australia’s injury and form crisis, have led to calls for the left-hander to be recalled as a stopgap measure for the first Test.

“I would have had Shaun Marsh opening the batting, instead of Marcus Harris in my squad,” Clarke told the Big Sports Breakfast.

“I’m also hoping these two openers will only be there for the first Test match. I’m hoping Warner’s fit for the second and I’m actually hoping Pucovski is fit for the second as well.”

Coach Justin Langer confirmed on Tuesday Marnus Labuschagne will remain at No. 3, making it likely Burns or Harris will open alongside Wade, who is a chance of being bumped up from No. 6.

Langer also revealed 21-year-old all-rounder Cameron Green will earn a baggy green if he passes all the medical tests after being struck on the head while bowling during Australia A’s recent three-day clash against India in Sydney.

The first Test, a day-night game played with a pink ball under lights, starts in Adelaide on Thursday.