Coach Justin Langer will assess Joe Burns over the next couple of days and Matthew Wade appears an option to open
Andrew McGlashan15-Dec-20202:04
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Australia coach Justin Langer has confirmed that Cameron Green will make his Test debut against India in Adelaide if he passes concussion protocols over the next couple of days with Matthew Wade shaping as a potential opener if the allrounder does play.Langer said there had been “good news” on Green’s progress on Tuesday morning following the blow he took on the side of his head in his follow through against the Indians at the SCG.”If he’s passed fit he’ll definitely play,” Langer said. “We are just going through the protocols. He had another test this morning which we got good news on. He’s a terrific young bloke, obviously an excellent talent, he’s earned the right for selection through his performances. It’s very exciting for Australian cricket for him and his family.”He added that the selection decisions were a “jigsaw puzzle” with “a lot of balls in the air” and whether Green gets the medical sign-off to be available will determine the balance of Australia’s XI.Related
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The other big call that needs to be made is whether to show faith in badly out-of-form opener Joe Burns – who has made 62 runs in nine innings this season – although his experience may still tip the scales in his favour.Langer also confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne would not be considered as an interim opening batsman, with the aim to make as few changes to the batting order as possible in the absence of David Warner, which would point towards an elevation for Wade from No. 6 if Green is available.”I have been backing Joe in the whole time,” Langer said. “He’s a very good player, you don’t lose your talent overnight. He also understands that runs are the greatest currency to any player and he’s been a bit light on. We’ll get eyes on him today, see how he’s going, have a chat to him and we’ll make our decision on who will open in the next day or so.”Marnus won’t be opening, he’s done an amazing job at No. 3. Steve Smith does an amazing job at No. 4. We’ll try and stay as settled as possible while David [Warner] is injured. We’ve got some tough decisions to be made.Cameron Green made a century against the Indians at Drummoyne Oval•Getty Images
“We’ve got to wait and see what happens with Cameron Green first so that’s one part of jigsaw puzzle. We’ll look at Joe and Marcus [Harris] today to see how they are tracking at training. We’ve got to pick our six best [batsmen] and that’s all part of the jigsaw puzzle. There’s a lot of balls in the air, I wish we could be more definite, not only for you guys but more importantly for our players but until we get a few things ticked off we can’t make a decision.”Wade has never opened the batting in first-class cricket, but has done it considerably in the limited-overs game, and him batting alongside Burns was the option endorsed by Ricky Ponting during Channel Seven’s BBL coverage on Monday evening.”He could…he could handle anywhere,” Langer said on Wade going in first. “He’s mentally tough, physically tough, he’s got good footwork, he can counterattack like David Warner. We’ve just got to work out what the best make-up of our team is going to be.”Despite a horror season, Burns gained Ponting’s endorsement to continue in the role although if Green is a success at No. 6 there will be another decision to make when Warner and Will Pucovksi are fit again.”I’m sticking with Joe Burns,” Ponting said on Seven. “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.”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 I am doing is moving Matthew Wade up to the top of the order to open with [Burns]…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.”