Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting wants the team management to show faith in under-fire Joe Burns and retain him in the Test series opener against India.
The 31-year-old Burns has been going through a terrible phase, having scored just 62 runs at 6.89 with a highest score of 29 in his last nine first-class innings.
He scored 4, 0, 0, 1 in his last four innings during the two warm-up games ahead of the four-Test series against India.
“I’m sticking with Joe Burns. I’ve heard a lot of suggestions that he hasn’t scored enough runs to stay in the side but I’m keeping him in there,” Ponting said on Channel Seven.
“He 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.”
“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,” Ponting said.
Ponting also believes that wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade should be elevated to the opener’s role, which will pave the way for 21-year-old all-rounder Cameron Green’s inclusion in the playing XI.