Justin Langer Likely To Stick With Joe Burns Over Will Pucovski For The Opening Test Of The Summer

Australia head coach Justin Langer has a major selection dilemma ahead of the first Test against India this summer. With the announcement of the squad happening on Thursday, uncapped Victorian batsman found his name and in line to open the innings. Despite many cricketers backing the 22-year old to make his debut, Justin Langer indicated going with Joe Burns itself.

Will Pucovski made an irrefutable case for selection as his three innings in two matches produced 495 runs with two double centuries. In 22 first-class matches so far, Pucovski has 1720 runs with six centuries and five fifties, averaging a daunting 55.48. On the other hand, incumbent opener and Queensland batsman Joe Burns has only 57 runs in three fixtures at 11.57.

Justin Langer was in awe of Will Pucovski’s run-scoring spree and want such men to make cases for selection, which are hard to ignore for them. Langer underlined that the youngster’s brilliance made it as such. At the same time, the former Australian opener believes in consistency in selection, remarking that David Warner and Joe Burns enjoy a real synergy between them due to which he is likely to stick with them. Justin Langer further said that the performances of Pucovski and Cameron Green have provided a robust foundation for the strength of Australian cricket.

“Will’s been amazing hasn’t he, and it’s exactly what we are looking for, I’ve said it for a very long time that we want guys who are outside of the team to bang so hard you can’t ignore them. The fact is he’s been so good we can’t ignore him, he’s been brilliant. That said I’ve also been consistent with the messaging that last summer we loved the combination of Joe Burns and David Warner, they have a real synergy, so at this point I’d say that will remain the same. But what Will’s doing, what Cameron Green has done, is making a real statement through sheer weight of runs and that’s always been a strong foundation for the strength of Australian cricket,” Justin Langer said as quoted by News18.

Justin Langer talks about managing Cameron Green within Australian cricket:

The 105-Test veteran acknowledged uncapped all-rounder Cameron Green’s talent, keeping in mind, he endured two stress fractures. Langer highlighted that managing the youngster would be a combined effort between Western Australia and the national team, underlining the importance of respect and patience. Green, who plays for Western Australia, has 363 runs from four matches at 72.60 and two wickets and has been named in both Test and ODI squads.

“We know he’s got enormous talent, but he’s had two stress fractures. The way we manage Cameron Green, as Western Australia are at the moment, will be a combined effort. We have to show the due respect that’s required and we have to patient. We’ve learned that over and over again,” the 49-year old added.

Before beginning their defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, India will lock horns in three ODIs and three T20Is, starting from the 27th of November.

Also Read: Missing Virat Kohli Would Have An Impact On India, Says Justin Langer