India vs Australia: Joe Burns cleared for second Test; Will Pucovski ruled out

India vs Australia: Joe Burns cleared for second Test; Will Pucovski ruled out
Joe Burns
Joe Burns

On Sunday, Australian Test team’s opener Joe Burns was cleared for the 2nd Test against India in Melbourne. Burns was hit on the elbow during the pink ball series opener in Adelaide. Young Aussie Will Pucovski who is still recovering from concussion has however been ruled out.

Australia won the day-night match by 8 wickets taking a lead of 1-0 in the four-match series. Opener Burns took a nasty blow during the match off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery.

“Joe Burns has been cleared of serious damage to his arm, while concussed young gun Will Pucovski has been ruled out of a Boxing Day Test debut,” a report in the ‘West Australian’ said.

‘Australia are adopting a conservative approach’

Will Pucovski
Will Pucovski

Australia was already grappling with injuries in the run-up to the India vs Australia series. There were doubts that Joe Burns would also join the list of injured players. Fortunately, scans have cleared all the fears of any major injury to his arm.

While Joe Burns has been cleared, young Australia opener Will Pucovski has been ruled out of the second Test. He was all set to debut in the Test series after David Warner was ruled out due to a groin injury. However, Pucovski suffered a concussion after being hit on the helmet during the first warm-up match. He was subsequently ruled out of the day-night series opener.

“Australia are adopting an understandably conservative approach as the Victorian (Pucovski) recovers from his ninth concussion,” the report stated.

David Warner was flown out to Melbourne meanwhile on Saturday after the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 in Sydney. The opener is also racing against time to get fit for the Boxing Day Test beginning on 26 December.

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