After Shaun Marsh got out in the 26th over of Australia’s second innings, there began absolute mayhem. It started with a late cut off to Ashwin off the second ball of his innings and then hell broke loose. Burns faced 39 balls for his 66 runs that consisted of eight fours and two sixes.
He collected 12 runs off an Ashwin over and smashed Umesh Yadav for four consecutive boundaries in other. His partner, Brad Haddin, too joined the fun with a couple of fours and sixes. "It was lots of fun,” Burns said about his innings.
“Playing with Brad Haddin was very enjoyable and it was just nice to contribute to the team and gets us into a good position. It's a fantastic opportunity to come out tomorrow and win it a Test match for Australia, so very exciting.”
After a forgettable debut at the MCG, Burns came back stronger into this Test, scoring a half century in each innings. “Personally I was disappointed with my output in Melbourne and wanted to come to Sydney and get the win and make it 3-nil,” he said.
"It's just nice to be contributing for Australia. You want to be contributing for the team on such a big occasion, it means a lot more to go out there and make 50 in both innings. Pleased, but I want to come back tomorrow and win the Test match for Australia, that's what we would be after first and foremost.
While Burns made batting look ridiculously easy on a fourth day pitch that did offer turn and uneven bounce to the spinners, he said it is pretty hard to bat on the breaking wicket. "The wicket spun and I think it will only get harder to bat on as the game goes on. I'm sure we're going to create 10 opportunities; it's just a matter of taking all ten."
“I think with the spin in the wicket, spin will play a major factor but we also saw some variable bounce and reverse swing.”
Burns had a productive partnership with Steve Smith, who is batting at a different level. He followed up his 117 in the first innings with an attacking 71 in the second. Burns was in awe of his captain’s batting form. “I’m a huge fan of Steve,” he said.
“To lead from the front the way he does and also to do it in all sorts of situations. It’s great to sit in the change room and watch and when I get the opportunity to bat with him I certainly do learn a lot. There aren’t too many batters in the world better at the moment so it’s just great to watch,” he said.
