AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA, 2020-21
Burns revealed the work he has done behind the scenes after disappointing returns in the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield. © Getty
This summer there will be a lot of differences in Joe Burns. After a less than glorious attempt at getting his hair cut, not only will he be without his messy mop, but he will also be the senior hitter among Australia’s top starters in the test series. That is, if David Warner does not recover from his groin injury in time for the first test, something that seems increasingly likely despite the quality hours spent inside the hyperbaric chamber.
Preparation for the summer has centered on Joe Burns-vs-Will Pucovski, and it will be quite anticlimactic if they both manage to open up the batting against India in Adelaide at the expense of the hitter who actually had a say. in the matter, according to the president of the selection, Trevor Hohns.
“I think Dave is a world-class player, it’s a luxury to have him at the other end,” Burns told reporters on Thursday (December 3). “At the same time, I’ve always said that I will try to take the same responsibility for myself. I always talk about the games that Dave got out early, I always wanted to play those games.
“In particular, now that he’s injured, it’s a great opportunity to play a high-level role. By saying that, nothing changes drastically. It’s about working with whoever you’re hitting at the moment and making sure you’re executing your skills. as best as possible.
“It’s a huge role to play if Dave is not available, it’s probably the responsibility of some guys to fill that position.”
But Burns has ruled out any “bat-off” with Pucovski during or before the test match, and that the focus will be on “trying to win matches.” The two practice games will be used to build camaraderie with your potential opening partner, as he feels he is a “crucially important” part of a successful opening pair.
“For the opening hitters, you’re hitting at the same time in the game against the same opposition, so you work very closely on what your plans are,” Burns said. “It’s something Davey and I did very well, understanding the game and being able to control the pace of the game, realizing how their games complement each other to put pressure on the opposition.
“I haven’t had a chance to hit very often with Will, I think I hit with him once in Game A in Sussex last year. So games like this … are a crucial part of our test team preparation. Not just Will and I, but also a lot of guys on the team just to come together and make sure our plans are good and build on the momentum of working together on the test series.
“It’s exciting, Will is obviously in great shape. He earned his place on the team and I’m looking forward to working with him and getting caught.”
Burns revealed the work he has done behind the scenes after disappointing returns in the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield.
“Obviously, I’ve had a bit of a slow start to the summer in the Shield games we’ve played,” Burns said. “It’s been a bit frustrating for me personally, I think back to the end of last season, the Shield games that we played we were playing on the top green with the Dukes ball and I feel like it was the best I’ve hit. My career I arrived in Adelaide (this season) and I was licking my lips seeing some flat terrain and hoping to do a lot of races, but I found ways out.
“It’s a little frustrating, but I reflect on that and I was probably chasing the game a little bit too much after obviously taking a winter break and doing it again.
“The last few weeks I had the opportunity to go to Byron Bay. Our Queensland hitting coach, Adam Hollioake, was coming down and we were training all day,” Burns said. “The key I was working on was patience. After such a long break, there is always the temptation to want to hit the ball and feel like you’re in good rhythm.
“But it’s a reminder that you’re at the mercy of the pitcher and what’s to come and having the discipline for long periods of time to soak up the pressure and know the races will come from there. I faced thousands of balls and just tried to face each. ball as is my first. ”
In addition to dealing with “thousands of balls”, Burns also revealed that he spent time discovering Indian bowlers, who bring a different set of skills to the table.
“Every bowling attack is a bit different, especially the ones coming from the subcontinent compared to last summer against New Zealand, so there are different challenges and you have to adapt to give us the best chance of doing well.”
“Basically all winter long, I sat and went over what the Indian squad would probably be and what their plans are, and how they get ground. Not just how to keep them out, but how to score their runs and the best way to apply pressure to them. “.
That’s the second thing Burns revealed he did during the lockdown – the first, of course, was an attempt to cut his hair. However, it didn’t work out well, and the short hair on display during this virtual press conference was only thanks to repair work done by a professional hairdresser. Burns hopes his hitting plans for this summer will be much better.
© Cricbuzz
