Joe Burns, the opener of Australia is under pressure to score runs according to Chris Rogers, who is part of Australia A’s coaching staff.
Joe Burns has been under fire and been criticized for not being able to score runs consistently. He registered scores of 4,0,0,1 in the two practice games against India.
Joe Burns Under Pressure And Has To Make Most Of the Opportunity: Chris Rogers
The opening batsman has just managed to score 62 runs from nine innings this season. In 3 matches for Queensland, he accumulated just 57 runs in 5 innings in Sheffield Shield averaging a pathetic 11.4. In next 4 innings, he added just 5 runs against India’s strong and potent pace attack.
In the ongoing three-day practice game against the Indians, Joe Burns was dismissed for a duck by Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings and fell plumb before wicket off Mohammed Shami scoring only 1 in second innings but has been included in the Test squad.
In the first tour practice game, he fell to Umesh Yadav after scoring 4 runs in first innings and was clean bowled without scoring in second innings.
“There is some pressure on him, no doubt. He’s not stupid. So he has to make the most of this opportunity, that’s pretty important, and then it’s up to the selectors,” ESPNCricinfo quoted Rogers as saying.
Chris Rogers also went on to encourage Joe Burns rather focus and concentrate on his batting rather than listening to the hype and criticism surrounding him.
“From my point of view, you can get to this point where you’re just putting so much pressure on yourself. You think you’re doing everything you can and it just doesn’t seem to be going your way,” said Rogers.
Chris Rogers had played 25 tests and averaged 42.87 accumulating over 2000 runs with 5 tons and 14 fifties. He last played in 2015 after debuting in 2008.
“You make one little mistake and all of a sudden you’re back sitting in the pavilion. A lot of the time it’s just about letting go, what will be will be and just go out and do your processes, do your routines and just try and stay in the moment and watch the ball as I know our Australian coach says,” he added.
India and Australia will play against each other in a four-match Test series, beginning December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. The first match would be a pink-ball affair and will be India’s first overseas day-night test that will see regular India’s skipper Virat Kohli’s participation.
Joe Burns Is A Very Good Player, And A Few Poor Innings Is Not A Judgement On Players Ability: Marnus Labuschagne On Joe Burns Form
On Saturday, Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne who is in form averaging above 60 in 14 Tests he played had also shown faith in Joe Burns ability, saying that he is sure that the opening batsman is a good player and a few poor outings with the bat is not a judgement on a player’s capability.
Commenting on Burns’ form, Labuschagne had said: “I spoke to Joe couple of nights ago, he is doing alright, we have all been there where we just want to score runs, a few innings is not a judgment on player’s ability, I have full faith in Joe and if he is selected, he will be good to go, he is a man for big moments, I just hope he gets some runs in the second innings of the ongoing practice match. He is a very good player.”
Joe Burns averages 38.3 in 21 tests with four tons and six half-centuries accumulating 1379 runs.