(Reuters) – Australia’s David Warner says Will Pucovski has batted himself into contention for a spot at the top of the order in the first test against India but questioned whether it would be the right call to break up his opening partnership with Joe Burns.
Victoria’s Pucovski, 22, has been included in Australia’s 17-man squad for the four-test series against India after amassing 495 runs in two Sheffield Shield matches.
He will have another chance to impress when he faces India’s bowlers in a tour match in Sydney from Dec. 6, a game that is being viewed as a “bat-off” with incumbent opener Burns, who has not managed a fifty in his last five innings.
“If they go the way of Will, he has been batting fantastic and been in and out of the test squad,” Warner said. “He is in the right frame of mind at the moment. It probably is an opportunity for him to come into the team.
“But as we know it’s harder to get out of this team than get in. I didn’t think Joe did anything wrong last summer. We had some great partnerships.
“That’s what you want from your opening partnership. And at the end of the day I have to be happy with it and embrace whoever they pick.”
Burns and Warner average over 50 at the top of the order and their partnerships helped Australia whitewash Pakistan and New Zealand during the last home summer.
“I have batted time with Joe together in the middle. I know exactly what we are about when we’re out there,” Warner added. “We won a lot of games last year. For me you don’t break something that is working.”
