Stoinis stands between Burns’ tour
JOE Burns is in a head-tohead race with West Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis for a ticket to South Africa, with selectors set to keep the faith with out of form Test opener Cameron Bancroft.
There appears to be only one vacancy in the 15-man squad Australia will take for the four-Test series in March, with Queenslander Burns jostling with Stoinis for the last seat on the plane.
If selectors follow the pattern of four years ago – when they won in South Africa – and take a back-up all-rounder, then Stoinis is the frontrunner.
But the balance of this squad may demand a batsman capable of covering the top order.
Burns has been in outstanding form this summer, has three Test centuries to his name at Test level and is capable of batting anywhere from 1-6.
Taking Burns as back-up would be an indication Bancroft was under some pressure, but coach Darren Lehmann made it clear yesterday that selectors were determined to back the man they picked for a high-pressured debut for the recent Ashes series.
Bancroft received the strongest possible backing from both Lehmann and captain Steve Smith.