Australia batsman Joe Burns during a training session
© AFP
London: Australian middle-order batsman Joe Burns has signed a deal with English county club Middlesex.
The Queenslander is set to join the London-based club in early May and replace compatriot Adam Voges, who ironically was picked ahead of Burns for Australia's Test series against West Indies and England, cricket.com.au reported on Tuesday. (Bell's Century Puts England in Commanding Position )
Burns will be at the club till July 18, after which he will fly to India for a series of matches for Australia A against India A.
"The chance to call Lord's home is going to be special. The club has high ambitions for success in Division One, which was important for me," Burns was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"I am thrilled to get the opportunity to contribute to what is hopefully a very successful period for the club." (England Openers Draw Flak )
Burns was one of the most unlucky absentees from Australia's Test squad for their winter tours of the Caribbean and England, having made his Test debut against India last summer and posting two consecutive half-centuries in the fourth Test in Sydney.
But Voges's record-breaking season for the Western Warriors left selectors with little option but to pick him as the sixth frontline batsman in the squad, alongside Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, David Warner, Chris Rogers and Shaun Marsh. (Viv Richards Hails James Anderson as an England Great )
Burns admitted of being disappointed at being overlooked, but the impressive 25-year-old said he needs to keep performing and earn his place back into the side.
"Sometimes tough calls are made and 50-50 calls can go against you. But you can't get too down about it. You have to focus on what's important and the things that you need to continually keep doing to keep performing," he said.
"I think I'm not going to get too caught up in getting down in the dumps about it."
The Middlesex management is delighted with the signing of Burns and said he is capable enough player to play well in English conditions.
"We are delighted to be signing a hungry young Australian who will be desperate to show everyone what he is capable of doing," Middlesex's managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said of Burns.
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