YOU could forgive Joe Burns for feeling a bit down after he was axed from the Australian Test squad on Sunday.
But instead, he produced a classy response and a massive endorsement for his Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw, who will take his place in the side.
Burns was dropped after lowly scores of just 1 and a duck during Australia’s dismal defeat to South Africa in Hobart, putting his immediate future in the side in jeopardy.
Renshaw, meanwhile, made a century during a Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia over the weekend to continue his push towards a Baggy Green.
Despite the pair opening together in that clash — Burns made 4 and 2 in Queensland’s commanding 128-run victory — there was no hard feelings as the junior of the two got the nod.
Burns took to Instagram to pay tribute to the 20-year-old, writing: “Your (sic) my boy blue @MattRenshaw28, watch out world!”
Renshaw is one of four potential Test debutants, with the youngster arguably the most surprising of Australia’s six inclusions for the third and final clash with South Africa.
Born in Middlesbrough in the north-east of the United Kingdom, it didn’t take long for our English pals to start poking some fun.
But the English weren’t the only ones finding the funny side to a demoralising period for Australian cricket.
Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb is another that will soon own a Baggy Green cap, with a double-century in the Sheffield Shield over the weekend securing his place in the side.
But had Rod Marsh still been a selector, perhaps he wouldn’t have been so fortunate.
Nic Maddinson and Chadd Sayers are the other two hoping to make their Test debuts this week, with the former edging out New South Wales teammate Kurtis Patterson for a place in the squad.
But his inclusion had many scratching their heads.
And it wasn’t the only decision that left many people confused.
Some couldn’t understand how Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie were dropped after just one Test — especially given they were set to play in front of their home crowds at the Adelaide Oval.
