3 minute read

At the centre of intense scrutiny before his axing for the Sydney Test, Australian opener Joe Burns insists he hasn't lost faith in his game.

A relieved Joe Burns has toasted his match-winning BBL knock with a beer and insists he hasn't lost faith in his game after being dropped as Australia's Test opener last week.

Burns was cut for this week's Sydney Test after a horror run of outs but bounced back at the Gabba with 52 off 38 as the Brisbane Heat ended the Sydney Thunder's five-game winning streak.

He knows middle order runs in a Twenty20 are a far cry from those earned opening the batting against India in a Test match.

But Burns also believes he had nothing to prove after admitting he felt "there'd been a lot made of his situation this summer".

"There's always noise at the top level and you learn to live with it. I understand that you just need to be making runs," he said.

"I'm disappointed in my own performance, because I wasn't making many runs and that's what it comes down to.

"But to get to this level you still maintain a deep belief in your skills, your game, your preparation, the work you've done."

Asked if he felt he had rediscovered his touch against the Thunder, Burns said he preferred to believe he'd never lost it.

"Whether it's naive, you like to think you're going to perform in every game you play," he said.

"You can't doubt yourself. (You) have to keep pushing through and trust the runs will come. The wheel always turns in this game.

"It's a relief to get a few away to the boundary again ... I've got one eye on a beer now and we'll take each day as it comes."

Burns said Australian coach Justin Langer as well as his Queensland and Heat coaches Wade Seccombe and Darren Lehmann had proved mighty allies in recent weeks and that an immediate BBL return had been a blessing.

"I'd like to think the scrutiny from outside the team doesn't affect you and we're really tight groups," Burns said.

"It's always non-stop cricket - we're always working - but it's nice to come out and play T20 and have the freedom.

"I've just tried to stay appreciative of every day ... you get the chance to open the batting for Australia on Boxing Day and come back here and play for the Brisbane Heat in front of great fans.

"Whether you make runs or not it's a bonus, you're still enjoying every day."