As he recuperates during the lockdown, like athletes all over the world are doing, Australia opening batsman Joe Burns is excited about the prospect of playing India in the summer.

India are scheduled to tour Australia for a four-Test series at the end of the year. It’s impossible to say at the moment if that series will go ahead as planned, with the global situation evolving rapidly, but Burns is already excited about the prospect of playing Virat Kohli’s side who, until recently, were ranked No.1 in the world in Test cricket, before being displaced by Australia.”As a player, they’re the series you want to play in and do well in,” Burns said.

“I look at Australia and India as having two incredibly strong bowling attacks, and that’s going to be so exciting to watch the teams go at it. As an opening batter, that’s why it’s so exciting for myself. It’s going to be a huge challenge this summer, a big role to play in nullifying the Indian bowlers, especially early in the match, the morning of day one with the new ball.

“There’s so much anticipation going into that series. Both teams will have a lot to play with the No. 1 ranking and the World Test Championship, that’s what’s motivating us at the moment, in terms of all the training, with an eye looking forward to a huge summer.”

However, until cricket resumes and he faces India, Burns is looking at maximising the time he gets to spend at home, a rarity in international cricket these days, during the lockdown. “An enforced layoff now for everyone gives you the opportunity to get yourself right and reset, start appearing physically for next summer,” he said.

“It’s probably the longest off-season anyone has had for a long time. From a physical perspective, it gives us the opportunity to be in a strong position. In the back of our minds, we know once we do start playing again, it will be non-stop looking at the calendar. That’s the silver lining to the enforced layoff we do have at the moment.

“So, I think the other thing it does provide is a really good perspective around the game. There are times during the year when you get a bit worn out, a bit tired, and you do want some time at home. This shows the other end of the spectrum now, when you’ve got that time at home and can’t wait just to get out on a cricket field again, run around with your mates and get stuck into training and playing.

“So there is a really nice silver lining to all of this. Obviously a very tough time, but when we do come out of this, I think the cricket world and, hopefully, the whole world will be in a better spot from it.”