Cricket: Burns to debut at No 6

Joe Burns. Photo / Getty Images

Debutant Joe Burns will bat at No6 for Australia today.

Stand-in skipper Steve Smith confirmed his XI yesterday, with Burns and Ryan Harris coming into the side at the expense of paceman Mitchell Starc and injured allrounder Mitch Marsh.

Burns has been opening for Queensland this Sheffield Shield season and there had been calls for him to be blooded at first drop in a reshuffled batting order.

However, Smith opted for continuity in the third test against India with Burns taking Marsh's place in the order.

"Shane Watson's best suited at the top of the order ... Joe will slot in at No6," Smith said.

"Mitch has been playing some pretty good cricket ... he was starting to find his feet.

"Disappointing for him ... but Joe Burns gets his opportunity ... and it's going to be a very special week for him."

Australia will reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they defeat India at the MCG, taking a 3-0 lead in the four-test series.

- AAP