Joe Burns dropped by Australia after poor run of form

The decision to axe the right-hander also comes with both David Warner and Will Pucovski fit to take their places in an 18-man squad after recent injuries

Australia will have a new combination at the top of their order when the third Test against India begins in Sydney, with Joe Burns dropped following a poor run of form.

The decision comes after the 31-year-old made just 63 runs in his first four innings of the series, which is level at one-all after the tourists' win in Melbourne.

For Burns, 51 of those runs coming when the pressure was off as Tim Paine’s side chased just 90 for victory in the opening Test between the teams in Adelaide.

He entered the series short on runs, having failed to pass 29 in nine first-class innings since the start of October; his meagre Test efforts only amplified his troubled red-ball campaign, giving him a haul of 125 runs at just 10.41.

And despite a half century that Australia head coach Justin Langer hoped might trigger a return to form, he was dismissed cheaply by Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav at the MCG.

The decision to axe the right-hander also comes with both David Warner and Will Pucovski fit to take their places in an 18-man squad.

Warner has missed the first two Tests after suffering a groin injury in the preceding ODI series between the countries. Pucovski, who is still to make his international bow, was in prime form prior to suffering a concussion while batting for Australia A in a warm-up match against India.

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“Joe Burns has been released from the squad and will return to the Brisbane Heat,” said national selector Trevor Hohns. “Unfortunately, Joe's returns haven't been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of.

“David has made strong progress in his recovery from injury and will be given every chance to play in Sydney with another seven days until the match.

“Will is in the final stages of the graduated return-to-play (concussion) protocols and has been symptom-free for some time. He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment.”

The inclusion of both Warner and Pucovski gives Australia options in their batting group, with Matthew Wade having filled in as an emergency opener in the absence of the pair. He could still retain his place at the top or, as an alternative, could drop into the middle order at the expense of Travis Head, who is without a Test half century in 2020.

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