Hard-working Burns bides his time in hope for baggy green recall

OVERLOOKED Queenslander Joe Burns will not give up on his dreams of a baggy green recall as Australia’s battered Test team faces a shakeup for the upcoming Gabba showdown against Sri Lanka.

Burns is not out of the Test selection sphere this summer following Australia’s looming series loss to India after another disastrous day at the SCG. Australia is staring down the barrel of a 3-1 series defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after yesterday crumbling to 6-236 in reply to India’s mammoth first innings total of 7-622.

While Australia’s world class bowling attack was mauled by the Cheteshwar Pujara-inspired India, a misfiring batting unit once again failed to inspire.

Australia has not had a cen- tury-maker in seven innings this summer and still has toporder issues after Queensland captain Usman Khawaja fell for 27 opening the innings.

Despite a solid run of Sheffield Shield form this summer, Burns was overlooked for a Test recall as selectors looked to Bulls all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne for the spinning Sydney wicket.

Burns, 29, is hoping to add to his tally of 14 Test appearan- ces and he could receive a recall on his home deck against Sri Lanka at the Gabba from January 24.

Burns has averaged 66.25 on the seaming Gabba wicket this summer and said he would continue to work hard.

“It’s always disappointing to be left out of the team, but all you can do as a player is keep playing your best cricket,” he told the Sunday Territorian.

“Selections come and go and there is always tough calls made, but they’re never final.

“If you go away, work hard and keep performing well ... hard work is undefeated.”

Burns had a key role to play at the top of the order as the Brisbane Heat tried to kickstart its BBL campaign with a win over the Scorchers in Perth last night.

He has three Test centuries to his name as an opener for Australia and averages 36.76 in the baggy green. He has had a rollercoaster Test career, with his last match coming after he was flown to South Africa on short notice as a replacement player following the shocking ball-tampering scandal last March.

Burns top-scored (42) in Australia’s second innings of that match.

However, he was then overlooked for the next series against Pakistan in the UAE.