Strive To Play Every Game For Australia

Joe Burns, the recently dumped Australian Test opener, was unable to make a resounding statement during the four-day series against India but is hoping a tinkering in his batting can fuel an international comeback.

Representing Australia A in Brisbane over the past fortnight, the 27-year-old played for the first time since being axed during the recent tour of Sri Lanka after a woeful opening two Tests yielded just 34 runs from four innings. Burns had been David Warner's partner for 10 consecutive Tests but selectors ran out of patience paving the way for Shaun Marsh to score a century on his recall.

All of that doesn't bode well for Burns who was last seen in Sri Lanka being tangled and strangled by Sri Lanka's spinners in a nightmarish performance symbolic of the team's complete mishandling of the turning subcontinent pitches.With Marsh likely to retain his spot and Cameron Bancroft, who overshadowed Burns in Brisbane with a match-winning performance in the opening four-day match, pressing his claims, it must feel very much like being in a rut for the Queenslander.

In many ways, the 'A' series came at an opportune time for Burns to get out in the middle and rediscover his blistering batting, which when in full gear can outpace even Warner. After making an encouraging 78, albeit where he was outshone by a sublime Peter Handscomb during a lengthy partnership, in his opening innings of the series, Burns failed in his next two knocks to fall short of delivering a compelling case for a national comeback.

Perhaps more importantly for his psyche, which undoubtedly has gone through the ringer in recent months, Burns believes he will be better prepared to blunt the new ball after enduring a string of failures early in his innings. In his last 14 Test innings, Burns has six scores under 5 but once he gets through his early jitters, he cashes in having already carved three tons in just 12 Tests.

"I've been working on a few things, like facing the new ball and starting my innings," Burns told Cricbuzz. "They are things that in international cricket will allow me to bat for long periods.'"

Burns is coy about what specifically he is working on but likely it revolves around curbing the new ball more effectively and tightening his defence. Criticism has abounded of Burns being susceptible on a good length outside off stump, where he often chases recklessly before he's set. His apparent looseness has seen him often perish by nicking or being bowled - modes of dismissals that brought his downfall in Brisbane.

"You're always trying to improve your game," Burns says. "It's about (improving facing the) new ball in the first innings. The first morning in a Test match is where an opener earns their pay. It's an area where an opener can set the tone and where you can have a massive impact."

Very much in vogue with modern batting, Burns enjoys counterattacking but knows he must pick the right balls, a trait his sidekick Warner has almost mastered in recent years. "As an opening batter you are dictated by what's coming down," he says. "If it's in good areas then it's difficult to attack.But it's about having a mindset that if they bowl a loose ball than you are going to put it away and put pressure back on the bowlers."

Perhaps one excuse for Burns' relative difficulties in the series was having to face the pink ball at its deadliest in the early overs offering notable swing. With Australia slated to play two pink ball Tests this summer, matches he hopes to partake in, Burns is grateful for batting practice against the revamped Kookaburra ball which had black stitching in a bid for better visibility.

"It's very challenging as a top order batsman because it swings," he says. "It only swings for a short while but takes a lot of adjusting because the seam is almost invisible on the ball so you have to look for different cues. The more you play against it the easier it becomes.

"It's always going to be different to a red or white ball, but it just takes an adjustment," he added.

"The pink ball fluctuates from doing a lot to nothing very quickly, so it's just finding a way to manage those early periods."

In the second match, Burns replaced the rested Handscomb as Australia A captain and he seemingly had the golden touch on the opening day with an uncanny knack of conjuring wickets from his bowling or fielding changes.It was a role Burns relished and an opportunity to showcase his leadership skills, which he says revolve around being inclusive and relaxed. "I think I am laid back and allow the players to express themselves," he says. "If they have strong views or ways they want to go about it then I facilitate them to express them."

While in Brisbane, Burns sought counsel from Mike Hussey, Australia A batting coach, picking his brain over how to handle the contrast of switching from the cauldron of international cricket to the lower levels.

"We have spoken a lot about the challenges of transitioning between state and international cricket," he says. "One of the challenges going from domestic or 'A' cricket to international cricket is the scrutiny. It's a test playing under different expectations and pressures, but I really enjoy that facet of it."

Burns has endured a rocky ride almost a year since he was inserted into the Test opener's hot seat and will need some big performances to earn a recall. Undoubtedly, Burns is well aware that the journey is the reward."I strive to play every game in every format for Australia but I focus on here and now and what is required in training," he says. "The most important thing is the next training session and next game."