Former Australian Skipper Ricky Ponting wants the team management to trust Joe Burns and pick him as opener in the Test series against India.

Joe Burns has scored four Test hundreds in 21 matches and has an average of over 38.

“He (Joe Burns) made 40 in his last Test innings, he’s made four Test hundreds, averages almost 40 – I’m sticking with him and showing some faith. I think he’s good enough to get through it.”

He has made a paltry 62 runs at an average of under 7 runs an innings. This includes knocks of 4, 0, 0 & 1 in the two tour matches against the visiting Indian squad.

“I’ve heard a lot of suggestions that he (Joe Burns) hasn’t scored enough runs to stay in the side but I’m keeping him in there […] What Marcus Harris hasn’t done is score (Test) hundreds – (his) highest score is 70-odd, (whereas) Joe Burns can score Test match hundreds. I’m sticking with him.”

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Ricky Ponting said, “What I am doing is moving Matthew Wade up to the top of the order to open with (Burns), (give) a left-hand, right-hand combination. We saw last time India were out here and we had two left-handers at the top of the order. The India bowling attack absolutely dominated the two lefties, so that’s the way I’m going.”

“I think you’ve got to tell Wade it’s just for one game. ‘Wadey’ will want to do it; he’ll be excited by this, he’s that sort of character that he’d love the chance to get up there and take on the Indian opening bowlers in a Test match. He won’t shy away from it.”

He wants a left-hand, right-hand opening combination which might put the bowlers off. And sees Matthew Wade as the right candidate to partner Joe Burns.

Source: SportsKeeda