Burns’ Dad didn’t believe Test call-up

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JOE Burns describes himself as a massive Australian cricket fan ... who just happens to play cricket himself.

He thought the biggest test he would face in the next month was his final exam for his economics degree at a Brisbane university.

But study books will now be tossed aside for this self-confessed cricket nuffy who will become Australia's 441st Test player on the biggest stage of the MCG Boxing Day Test.

Burns has been opening for Queensland, so his inclusion opens the possibility of out-of-form Shane Watson being shifted down the order to accommodate the newcomer in the top three.

The Queensland batsman is a huge selection bolter, so much so that Dad Reg refused to believe him when his son rang to tell him he was replacing injured Mitch Marsh in the baggy green.

"My Dad didn't believe me, so that's a little bit disappointing," Burns quipped.

"I am a massive Australian cricket fan who just happens to play cricket himself.

Joe Burns is studying an economics degree at a Brisbane university. Source: News Corp Australia

"I am a cricket nuffy. I follow the game closely and I love it. That makes Boxing Day even more special, knowing how big this day is in the Australian sport calendar.

"As an Australian cricket fan the Boxing Day Test is always something that comes to your mind, the day after Christmas when you sit on the back deck watching the cricket."

It was a madcap day for Burns yesterday who found out he would be making his Test debut, played for the Brisbane Heat last night and will be on a plane to Melbourne this morning.

Burns, one of Australia's smartest cricketers, may now have to put study for his final university economics exam on January 19 on the backburner.

The subject is called contemporary application of economic theory, something that many of Australian cricketers would not even be able to spell.

Burns, who has scored 439 Sheffield Shield runs at 54.87 this season, has always had a big fan in now Australian coach Darren Lehmann.

Lehmann coached Burns at the Queensland Bulls and knew he had a big future.

Joe Burns shows his ball-striking ability for the Heat in the BBL. Source: Getty Images

"I am looking forward to having Boof (Lehmann) as Australian coach as I really enjoyed playing underneath him," Burns said.

"It is going to be with great pride that I can say he is my Australian coach."

Burns may have been a bookworm rather than an Australian cricketer if he had not gone to after-school care as a nine-year-old.

The young Burns had no interest in cricket until his young best mate from after-school care started playing and he was encouraged to give the game a shot.

Burns then started playing backyard cricket with his older brother Dom — and the rest is history.

A composed batsman and deep thinker, Burns says he is ready for Test cricket and plans to simply enjoy the biggest week in Australian cricket.

"In terms of the pressure I think I will just enjoy the experience and enjoy the moment," Burns said.

Joe Burns has leapt over Ed Cowan and Adam Voges to win a Test call-up. Source: Supplied

"It is something that I've always dreamed of, and now I'm pinching myself thinking it may become a reality."

Burns has leapt over a queue of hopeful Test batsmen including Ed Cowan and Adam Voges, the two top runscorers in the Shield competition this season.

He feels for his Queensland teammate and former Test batsman Usman Khawaja, who may have got the Boxing Day call-up if he had not sustained a serious knee injury last week and been ruled out for more than six months.

"It is a challenging game and I certainly do feel for Ussie," Burns said.

"There are plenty of players who dream to be in this situation and you feel for them when other circumstances take that away."

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