Not playing Test aspirant Pucovski would be an “absolute waste”

Australian head coach Justin Langer has hinted that Test opener Joe Burns could retain his position at the top of the order despite Will Pucovski’s glut of runs in the Sheffield Shield.

Burns has struggled for Queensland scoring just 57 runs in five innings, while Pucovski is banging down the door for a Test debut after piling on back-to-back double centuries for Victoria.

The 22-year-old is the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 495 runs in just three innings and was named in an extended 17-man squad for the first Test against India.

But Langer fancies the incumbent Burns to shake off his poor form and continue his partnership David Warner in the Test arena.

Robert Craddock understands Langer’s thinking, but he believes not blooding Pucovski this summer - whether it be as an opener or in the middle order - would be an “absolute waste”.

“One thing about Langer is he has always been big on the power of two because of his bond with Matthew Hayden,” Craddock told SEN’s Whateley.

“He always knew that if you get an opening combination that works, they’re worth keeping.

“Joe Burns’ Test record of four centuries at a batting average of 38 is pretty solid and it’s interesting because Warner apparently has said to people privately that Joe Burns is his favourite opening partner – and he’s had many.

“I get Langer’s point, but I think if Pucovski doesn’t play this summer it’s an absolute waste, it really is.

“Joe Burns has been dropped four times. If he’s dropped a fifth time it’s the end of his career, I’m sure.

“I’d be so disappointed not to see Pucovski in some form in the opening Test but that’s their line of thought at the moment.”

Burns and Pucovski will get another chance to stake their claim for a Test spot when Australia A take on the Indians in a tour match in Sydney on December 6.

The first Test between Australia and India is a day-night clash in Adelaide that begins on December 17.