Will Pucovski and Joe Burns are in a direct tussle to be David Warner's opening partner against India.
This would mean Will Pucovski having to wait a little longer for his debut despite being in spectacular form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield season.
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Pucovski, who had taken his name back from the Test squad in the 2018-19 summer in order to resolve his mental health concerns, has made consecutive double hundreds for Victoria to strengthen his case on return.
However, the team management seems set to go against the wishes of a number of prominent voices within Australian cricket and retain Burns in the playing XI.
"Burnsy had a really good summer for us last year with David Warner, their partnership and relationship is a really important one for our team," Paine was quoted as saying by AAP.
"They got us off to a number of good starts last year. Burnsy hasn't been in the form that he would like or scored the runs he would like. But we know he does a good job."
"He averages close to 40 in Test cricket for Australia, which is a great effort opening the batting, and I expect him to start this summer," he added.
Those prominent voices include that of former captains Mark Taylor, Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke, who all want Pucovski to be given the nod.
But Paine echoed the sentiment shared by chief selector Trevor Horns and Justin Langer in indicating that Burns is unlikely to be left out as of now.
(Inputs from PTI)