As David Warner has been ruled out of the second Test match against India, Australia is still left to answer whether they will go with the opening pair which played in the first Test- Joe Burns and Matthew Wade- for the Boxing Day Test.
Burns, who had a struggling domestic season, found his mojo in the second Test innings while Matthew Wade, who first time played as the Test opener, was aggressive like Warner albeit he didn’t stay longer in the field.
Even though Australia had a weak opening combination, their bowlers guided them to win in the Adelaide Test which was a day-night Test match.
Michael Bevan backs Matthew Wade and Joe Burns to be the opening combination in the second Test:
Former Australia batsman Michael Bevan feels that the team management should not consider tinkering with their winning combination.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had posted David Warner’s injury update on Instagram earlier today. ICC asked the fans if the Aussies should again go with Matthew Wade and Joe Burns. To which, Michael Bevan replied in the comments section:
“Yes, why not. Stick with a winning side.”
Burns and Wade set up 70 runs partnership before Wade was stumped by Wriddhiman Saha. The former went on to remain unbeaten while registered a half-century. And, Wade scored 33 runs off 53 balls, striking five fours.
Meanwhile, David Warner has not recovered fully from his groin injury, which he sustained during the second ODI while fielding. He was ruled out of the remaining one ODI and the three-match T20I series. But he was expected to be fit by the Test series.
However, the batting mainstay is still recovering. The other reason for his ruling out from the Boxing Day Test was that the player was under rehabilitation in Sydney where a new strain of COVID-19 has been found. Cricket Australia didn’t want to take any risk and thus, he has not been allowed to join the bio-bubble in Sydney.