Fix your eyes on opening audition

BURNS v Pucovski will now be a television event, with fans able to watch the heavyweight showdown for the vacancy at the top of the Australian order.

The Australian camp has played down talk that the pair are being pitched into a “batoff” when Australia A faces India A in a fortnight, but the mercury has risen now Fox Cricket will broadcast the first tour match live from Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.

Brendon Julian and Kerry O’Keeffe will call the threeday match, which will feature openers Joe Burns and Will Pucovski vying for the chance to partner David Warner for the blockbuster first Test — which is still in Adelaide.

Even if the match doesn’t determine their Test hopes, it could yet be a factor as debate continues over the merits of incumbency versus form.

Australian coach Justin Langer says he is leaning towards honouring the performances of Burns in helping Australia get to No.1 in the world, but recognises leaving Pucovski out would be a massive call given he’s coming off back-to-back double centuries.

It would be harsh to make a call based on one Australia A match, but a big score from Burns or Pucovski would be a powerful final statement before selectors decide who will open against India.

On Friday there was growing optimism that Adelaide will retain the first Test starting on December 17, given the state’s strict lockdown will be relaxed over the weekend.

One key factor will be whether South Australia will still allow the current capacity of 27,000 fans to attend, given how crucial atmosphere is for the success of a day-night Test.

The fact Sydney and Canberra sold out five out of the six white ball internationals against India on the first day of ticket sales shows the demand that’s out there to attend one of cricket’s marquee series.