|| India Correspondent ||

Former Australia captain Mark Taylor has urged the national selectors to select in-form Will Pucovski for the opening slot against India in the upcoming four-match Test series. He also backed the youngster for his six-week break from the game because of the mental health issues during the 2018-19 season.

However, Pucovski was included a 17-member Australian Test squad for the four-match Test series against India.

“I would play Will Pucovski and leave Joe Burns out. Burns averages 38 in Test cricket he’s been a solid player for Australia without being a great one,” said Taylor on Channel 9’s ‘Sports Sunday’. “Pucovski said he’s ready – he’s made two double hundreds. Pick him while he’s in form. He has the potential to be a player for the next decade.”

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old has been in a prolific form in recent times, including consecutive double tons, scoring 202 against Western Australia in a Sheffield Shield game after an unbeaten 255 against South Australia as well. So far, he has scored 495 runs so far this season in three innings and is also highest run-scorer as well.

On the other hand, Joe Burns has an average of 32 for Australia last summer and has been going through a rough patch, scoring 57 runs from five innings.

“He’s been open and honest about it from the word go that wouldn’t have been easy. In the sides I played in it would have been seen as a sign of weakness now it’s seen as a sign of strength,” Taylor said. 

“I like the fact, Victorian coach Chris Rodgers has had a word to him about batting at the top of the order. He’s done that, made two double hundreds, and he’s once again publicly come out and said, ‘I now feel good, I’m enjoying my cricket, I’m ready.”