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India have scars, big void to fill: Burns

3 minute read

Australia opener Joe Burns says his side must show the same intent at the MCG that created 'scars' at Adelaide Oval, where India were skittled for 36.

JOE BURNS of the Bulls bats during the JLT One Day Cup match between Queensland and Victoria at RS in Townsville, Australia.
JOE BURNS of the Bulls bats during the JLT One Day Cup match between Queensland and Victoria at RS in Townsville, Australia. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Ruthless Australia feel they have created scars to reopen in the Boxing Day Test against depleted India.

Joe Burns, who returned to form with an unbeaten half-century at Adelaide Oval after Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood skittled India for a record-breaking 36, says there will be no let up as Australia hunt a 2-0 series lead in the second Test at the MCG.

It comes as India stew over how best to fill the immense void left by enforced omissions Virat Kohli (paternity leave) and Mohammed Shami (broken arm).

"We know we have opened up some scars," Burns told reporters.

"We just have to prepare well, start well, carry on the momentum from the first Test.

"Shami and Virat are obviously big losses for India ... it's always hard to replace world-class players like that.

"In saying that, the Indian team has very good depth as well. So they're still going to be very challenging."

Australia's most recent series win over India came when Burns debuted, at the MCG in 2014.

India have won the past two Border-Gavaskar series 2-1.

Justin Langer's team have a golden chance to reclaim the trophy and also entrench themselves in top spot on the International Cricket Council's Test championship table, which determines who earns an invite to next year's final at Lord's.

"The next Test is going to play a crucial role in the result of the series," Burns said.

"We're the best team in the world. We're confident against everyone at every venue.

"Our bowlers are unbelievable ... they have done it for a long time.

"We know - game in, game out - they're going to be doing that and putting pressure on the opposition. It's a great luxury."

Cummins remains the top-ranked bowler in the world, while Hazlewood has risen to No.5 in the ICC's rankings after his scarcely-believable second innings haul of 5-8 in Adelaide.

Burns remains unsure whether he will open with David Warner, who is an unlikely starter at the MCG but hasn't given up hope of returning from a groin strain, or Matthew Wade.

The Queenslander was full of praise for how Wade embraced the responsibility of opening, something he had never done at first-class level.

"Wadey's role can't be understated," Burns said.

"We got through the first hour (in the first innings), which is crucial against the new ball.

"Those chases can be tricky, especially when you see a team get bundled out for 30 odd, and we knew they had to be aggressive ... I just loved Wadey's intent.

"He kept the momentum rolling straight into our innings, he didn't let them get on top of us at any stage."

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