AUS v IND 2020-21: Australia hoping to "carry on the momentum from last game", says Joe Burns 

The hosts are 1-0 up in the Test series after a stellar comeback in Adelaide.

Joe Burns | GettyA resounding comeback and victory by eight wickets in the first Test in Adelaide have given Australia immense self-belief as they now look to "carry on the momentum" to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne starting December 26, said opening batsman Joe Burns. 

On the contrary, the mood within the visiting camp will be of despair and worry after losing a game they had in their grasp at the halfway mark and facing multiple injury and selection issues. Indians will also be without their premier batsman and skipper, Virat Kohli, for the rest of the series. 

Read Also: ‘Never thought I would see India getting all out for 42 or less again’ – Gundappa Viswanath

"We have got some scars as well, we just have to prepare well, start well and carry on the momentum from the last game," Burns said during a virtual press conference on Monday (December 21), as quoted by PTI

"We know that Indians are going to bounce back in the next Test, which is going to play a crucial role in (deciding the) fate of the series."

With their most experienced quick Ishant Sharma already out of the series, the tourists will now also have to contend with the absence of pacer Mohammad Shami, who suffered a fracture on his hand after being struck while batting in the first Test. 

"I think Shami and Virat are obviously big losses for India. In saying that the Indian team does have very good depth as well. So, they are still going to be very challenging," Burns said.

"It is always hard to replace world-class players like that, but when we look (at the guys) that they got to come in, we are going to prepare well for the next game. We know that Indians are going to bounce back strongly."

For Burns personally as well, the Adelaide Test proved very fruitful as he ended it with an unbeaten half-century and took a stride towards regaining form. The right-hand batsman had question marks raised over his selection before the series opener. 

"It is funny how in this game how often one shot can get you everything that you are searching for as batters. Probably, the first pull shot I hit off Umesh Yadav, I was on four and felt amazing," he said. 

"It is obviously nice to make some runs myself again. In the lead up to the game, I was short of few runs but more than anything it just was nice to get back the rhythm."

"I felt fantastic out there and looked to get the job done, (it was) an amazing day for Australian cricket to back up their bowlers and finish the job really quickly."

Burns felt the way Josh Hazlewood (5/8) and Pat Cummins (4/21) led the hosts' fightback in the second half and dismissed the Indians for just 36, their lowest-ever Test score, was reflective of the current Australian team's ability and standing in world cricket. 

"We are the best team in the world, very confident against everyone in every venue," he said. "Our bowlers are unbelievable, so I think they bowled well in the first innings and didn't get the rewards; in the second innings, they (Indians) just nicked everything."

"Our bowlers have done for a long time, so we know that game in and game out they are going to be doing that, putting pressure on the opposition, it is a great luxury that our team has."

With opposition opening batsman Prithvi Shaw struggling for runs, Burns was asked whether he has any advice for the youngster who is trying to refind the lost mojo?

"I would not give him any advice, I am playing against him... I don't know actually what form he has been in. I haven't been following him on how he is going," he said. 

"He is obviously a quality player to be playing for India, opening the batting is very challenging, but I might give some advice at the end of the series and not now."

Burns was struck on his elbow by a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah but has been cleared to play at the MCG after going through scans. The 31-year-old said he is looking to score big in the rest of the Test summer. 

"We have got three more Test matches to go, it is going to be very tough and my job and my goal are to go and get big match-winning hundreds in those games," Burns signed off.

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 21 Dec, 2020

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