Justin Langer bats for Cameron Green’s Test debut: The Australian head coach spoke highly about the 21-year old all-rounder.
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Australia head coach Justin Langer has lent support behind opening batsman Joe Burns despite his lean patch leading up to the first Test against India in Adelaide. Speaking from the Adelaide Oval before today’s practice session, Langer was adamant about working closely with the 31-year old player.
“I have been backing Joe [Burns] in the whole time. He’s a very good player, you don’t lose your talent overnight. He also understands that runs are the greatest currency to any player and he’s been a bit light on. We’ll get eyes on him today, see how he’s going, have a chat to him and we’ll make our decision on who will open in the next day or so,” Langer was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Burns, who had scored 256 runs at an average of 32 in five Tests last summer, is coming on the back of scoring only 74 runs in his last 10 first-class innings which includes six single-digit scores.
One ball into a rather crucial nets session for Joe Burns, Justin Langer walks down to have a very pointed chat #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/95rTtPYGa3
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 15, 2020
Langer, 50, also put to rest the murmurs around Marnus Labuschagne’s promotion as an opening batsman. With the right-hand batsman recently opening the batting in an ODI against India, he was speculated to play a similar role provided he already bats at No. 3 for Australia in Tests.
“Marnus [Lacuschagne] won’t be opening, he’s done an amazing job at No. 3. Steve Smith does an amazing job at No. 4. We’ll try and stay as settled as possible while David [Warner] is injured. We’ve got some tough decisions to be made,” Langer said.
Justin Langer bats for Cameron Green’s Test debut
Australia all-rounder Cameron Green, who had made his ODI debut in the third ODI against India earlier this month, also has Langer’s backing regarding making a Test debut at the Adelaide Oval provided he passes the concussion test before the match.
“If he’s [Cameron Green] passed fit he’ll definitely play. We are just going through the protocols. He had another test this morning which we got good news on. He’s a terrific young bloke, obviously an excellent talent, he’s earned the right for selection through his performances. It’s very exciting for Australian cricket for him and his family,” Langer added.
Much like former Australia captain Michael Clarke, Langer is also open to promote batsman Matthew Wade as an opening batsman in the first pink-ball Test. While Wade has never opened in first-class cricket, he has played as an opener for Australia, Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes in the past.
“He [Matthew Wade] could…he could handle anywhere. He’s mentally tough, physically tough, he’s got good footwork, he can counterattack like David Warner. We’ve just got to work out what the best make-up of our team is going to be,” Langer mentioned.
Assuming Burns retains his place at the top of the order, Wade will have to compete with Marcus Harris, who had recently received a call-up as David Warner’s replacement, for the second opener’s spot provided Australia play Green on December 17.
