Australia Announce Squad For The Third Test Against India, Joe Burns Dropped

Australia has announced the squad for the upcoming third Test against India. The Third Test of the four-match series between India and Australia will be played from January 7, 2021, in Sydney.

David Warner and Will Pucovski have been added in Australia’s Test squad with out-of-form opener Joe Burns dropped from the squad. Pacer Sean Abbott has also been declared fit for the remainder of the series and is one of the names in the 18-member squad.

David Warner has returned to the squad after regaining full fitness. He had sustained an injury during the ODI series against India and had also missed the subsequent T20I series as well.

Pucovski had suffered a concussion during the practice match against India and missed the first two Tests as a result. But the 22-year-old will still have to pass further fitness tests before he can be cleared to make a possible debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“David Warner, Will Pucovski and Sean Abbott will rejoin the squad in Melbourne tomorrow evening in preparation for the Sydney Test,” national selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

“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. Sean has fully recovered from a calf strain and is also available for selection.

“Will is in the final stages of the graduated return to play 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.

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

The four-match series stands level at 1-1 after Ajinkya Rahane led the team in Virat Kohli’s absence, bounced back in Melbourne to beat Australia by 8 wickets in the second Test inside 4 days on Tuesday.

Here’s Australia Squad For Sydney Test: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner.