Burns has had 'excellent' prep for Test, say selectors

No replacement has been named for Warner but Harris, not seen in the baggy green since last year's Ashes, is the next specialist opener in line after a brilliant start to the Sheffield Shield. There were also positive reports of his re-moulded technique from this week's "A" game at Drummoyne, where he made 35 and 25 not out batting at first drop.

Run machine Marnus Labuschagne, a spectacular find at No.3, could be used as a stop-gap opener but that would require a drastic reshuffle of the batting line-up.

The pay-off, however, is selectors would then have a way to accommodate boom youngster Cameron Green, who starred with bat and ball this week against the Indians.

If he were to put in another strong performance under lights later this week in his first pink ball game there cannot be much left of the door the all-rounder was asked to break down for a debut.

"I have a training session today and it will be the first time I have ever faced it or bowled with it. That will be pretty interesting," Green said.

"I have spoken to a few guys they say if you are batting at night but already in, it seems like it's OK. It's just when you are new to the crease they say it will be tough to get in. There are a lot of guys I can talk to in the next couple of days to work out new plans and what to do."

Selectors opted not to send out the SOS to Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh. Coming off last-start centuries, both veterans will be decked out in the colours of their Big Bash League teams while Burns tries desperately to end his horror run in time for the series opener.

As expected, Test squad members Burns, Green, Sean Abbott and Mitchell Swepson will all play for Australia A in the pink-ball game against India at the SCG starting Friday.

Tasmania's Ben McDermott, who bats at No.4 for his state, was called in as cover for Pucovski in the A-squad.

Selectors have supported Burns at every point throughout his two-month form slump, talking up his credentials even amid Pucovski's torrent of runs, and are still standing by him, with Hohns describing the opener's lead-up as "excellent".

Burns has made 61 runs from seven first-class knocks at an average of 8.71. If he was due some leeway after being overlooked in years gone by, he must surely be using up those credits.

"Joe Burns, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott and Mitchell Swepson will derive great benefit from playing high quality opposition against the pink ball in the final tour match," Hohns said.

"All have enjoyed an excellent preparation for the Vodafone Test series and the NSP [national selection panel] believes a final hit-out against India’s bowlers under lights will round it out nicely."

Warner has set himself the target of returning for the Boxing Day Test. Should he meet that timeline, he will have missed just on four weeks.

"I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it’s best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness," Warner said.

"The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my teammates that it is 100 per cent ready for Test match conditions.

"That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference."