Australian test skipper Tim Paine has revealed his opening combination for the first Test in Adelaide starting on December 17. With David Warner and Will Pucovski not available for the test match due to their respective injuries, Paine has placed his faith on Joe Burns and Matthew Wade to do well opening the batting. Both the players were among the many options Australia were looking at after Warner and Will was ruled out.

Tim Paine addresses media ahead of Adelaide Test

Speaking at the pre-match presser, Tim Paine opened up on his openers in the first test. He said that both Burns and Wade are the best from the current options that they have available. Paine has backed Burns after he failed in the two warm-up games against India. He has also confidence on Wade, who as per him is “tough as nails” and loves challenges.

“Speaking to Joe, I don’t think he is (lacking confidence). He’s been looking forward to this Test match. His build-up in terms of runs hasn’t been great but if you look at the work he’s done solely in Test cricket for this team, it has been very, very good. He averages just over 40 in Test cricket. If Joe walks out to bat tomorrow we have full confidence in him doing the job, there’s no doubt about that” Paine said.

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Tim Paine also had a word on Matthew Wade, the opening partner of Joe Burns. The veteran wicket-keeper batsman led Australia in the second T20I and scored a couple of fifties in the three-match series. The management will hope the experienced campaigner to deliver in the absence of regular openers.

“Look, he’s (Wade) certainly an option to open the batting. No doubt about that. I think we’ve got a number of guys who are willing to open the batting. That says a lot about our group, not just Wadey. But Wadey in particular, we saw against New Zealand last year with the short-ball stuff, he’s willing to put his body on the line for his team. We know he’s as tough as nails and he’ll do a good job no matter where he bats,” Tim Paine said.

The Australian skipper also confirmed that Steve Smith has also recovered from his sore back and will be a part of the playing XI in Adelaide.

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