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Queensland opener Burns shuns Test talk

3 minute read

Queensland have been bowled out for 152 by South Australia, who are 2-89 in reply at stumps on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield match.

JOE BURNS.
JOE BURNS. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Queensland opener Joe Burns is shunning thoughts of a Test recall while slamming the scheduling of domestic games at "out-grounds that are just crap wickets".

An Australian Test slot has opened up with the latest concussion scare to Will Pucovski all but ruling the young Victorian out of the looming Ashes series.

Pucovski was set to open with David Warner for Australia in the five-Test series against England but Marcus Harris and Burns are now contenders.

Burns top-scored with 48 as Queensland crashed to 152 all out against South Australia on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield match on Friday, with the Redbacks 2-89 in reply.

Burns, who was dropped after last year's Boxing Day Test against India, was blunt when asked if he'd thought about reclaiming a Test spot when hearing of Pucovski's injury.

"Not at all," he said.

Burns, who has struck seven centuries and averages 36.97 from his 23 Tests, said batting was hard enough without complicating his mind with Test thoughts.

"This time of year there is always a lot of talk around different (Test) selections and what-not," he said.

"But I have always said, we play so much cricket as domestic players that you don't have time to think or to look too far ahead.

"We're always training, we're always playing.

"The game is very hard as it is, without making it harder for yourself."

Burns made 26 in Queensland's drawn Shield opener against Tasmania last week at Adelaide's Karen Rolton Oval when just 14 wickets were taken in the entire game.

And the 32-year-old admitted frustration at not making some serious runs on a green-tinged pitch at Adelaide Oval on Friday when a dozen wickets fell on the day.

"I got caught slogging at Karen Rolton Oval," Burns said.

"Very different (conditions) today but it's great just to be at Test venues. It's proper cricket, it feels like a proper contest.

"I think I speak for everyone when I'm sick and tired of playing at these out-grounds that are just crap wickets.

"So it's nice to come here (Adelaide Oval) and have a good contest between bat and ball.

"It's a great wicket and a great place to play cricket and it's nice to actually see the bowlers get the rewards when they bowl well.

"And as a batter you have to lock in and be disciplined and you have to pick up length well and make good decisions, so it's proper first-class cricket.

"Hopefully we can play a few more games at Test venues going forward."

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