Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has questioned the decision by selectors to consult David Warner on his preferred opening batting partner for the upcoming Test series against India.
Selectors have named a 17-man squad for the series, containing both incumbent opener Joe Burns and Victoria's Will Pucovski, who has made consecutive Sheffield Shield double centuries in recent weeks.
While the assumption is that Pucovski is a lock to open alongside Warner in the first Test in Adelaide next month, the Warner-Burns combination has proved a success for Australia since they were reunited last summer.
Questioned about whether or not Warner would be consulted about a possible move to replace Burns with Pucovski, national selector Trevor Hohns made it clear the left-hander would have a say.
"Of course, we talk to David. He is a very senior player," Hohns said.
"He is very experienced and it's important that he is comfortable too, providing we are, of course, with the person he opens with.
"It goes a long way in forming an opening partnership - you have to be comfortable with your partner. We certainly do consult players on such issues."
But Taylor, who had nine different opening partners during his 104 Test matches, was bemused by the suggestion of Warner having any input, querying whether or not it was worth even asking the question.
"That's an interesting one. I've heard the story that David and Joe like to bat together, and that tends to happen with most opening partnerships," he told Wide World of Sports.
"I enjoyed batting with all the opening partners I had for Australia and New South Wales.
"So, I don't really know what they'll achieve by asking David Warner about Joe Burns. I'm sure David will be very positive about Joe, it would surprise me if he wasn't. I don't think they'll learn anything new.
"There's a belief that the Warner-Burns opening partnership is a good one, and that might be true, but it shouldn't rule out the opportunity you've got now with a player of the future like Pucovski."
Taylor confirmed that he never discussed his preferred opening partner with selectors before he was appointed Australian captain in 1994.
At the start of the summer he remained in favour of retaining the Warner-Burns partnership, but now believes Pucovski must be handed a baggy green, having reeled off scores of 255 not out and 202 for Victoria.
And Taylor believes Pucovski's elevation owes just as much to Burns' struggles, as Pucovski's mountain of runs.
"I always think you've got to give players every opportunity to keep their Test spots. But looking at Joe's three Shield games, he hasn't made any significant contributions, so he's not in great form," he explained.
"Looking back at the six Tests in Australia last summer, he made 97 at the Gabba and 53 in Perth, but that was about it. He didn't have a bad summer, but it wasn't a particularly good one either.
"He's not demanding selection by any means.
"When you've got an opportunity to play someone like Pucovski, who's been earmarked as a future star for a while, all those factors combined are enough for me to have him there at the start of the series."
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has questioned the decision by selectors to consult David Warner on his preferred opening batting partner for the upcoming Test series against India.
Selectors have named a 17-man squad for the series, containing both incumbent opener Joe Burns and Victoria's Will Pucovski, who has made consecutive Sheffield Shield double centuries in recent weeks.
While the assumption is that Pucovski is a lock to open alongside Warner in the first Test in Adelaide next month, the Warner-Burns combination has proved a success for Australia since they were reunited last summer.
Questioned about whether or not Warner would be consulted about a possible move to replace Burns with Pucovski, national selector Trevor Hohns made it clear the left-hander would have a say.
"Of course, we talk to David. He is a very senior player," Hohns said.
"He is very experienced and it's important that he is comfortable too, providing we are, of course, with the person he opens with.
"It goes a long way in forming an opening partnership - you have to be comfortable with your partner. We certainly do consult players on such issues."
But Taylor, who had nine different opening partners during his 104 Test matches, was bemused by the suggestion of Warner having any input, querying whether or not it was worth even asking the question.
"That's an interesting one. I've heard the story that David and Joe like to bat together, and that tends to happen with most opening partnerships," he told Wide World of Sports.
"I enjoyed batting with all the opening partners I had for Australia and New South Wales.
"So, I don't really know what they'll achieve by asking David Warner about Joe Burns. I'm sure David will be very positive about Joe, it would surprise me if he wasn't. I don't think they'll learn anything new.
"There's a belief that the Warner-Burns opening partnership is a good one, and that might be true, but it shouldn't rule out the opportunity you've got now with a player of the future like Pucovski."
Taylor confirmed that he never discussed his preferred opening partner with selectors before he was appointed Australian captain in 1994.
At the start of the summer he remained in favour of retaining the Warner-Burns partnership, but now believes Pucovski must be handed a baggy green, having reeled off scores of 255 not out and 202 for Victoria.
And Taylor believes Pucovski's elevation owes just as much to Burns' struggles, as Pucovski's mountain of runs.
"I always think you've got to give players every opportunity to keep their Test spots. But looking at Joe's three Shield games, he hasn't made any significant contributions, so he's not in great form," he explained.
"Looking back at the six Tests in Australia last summer, he made 97 at the Gabba and 53 in Perth, but that was about it. He didn't have a bad summer, but it wasn't a particularly good one either.
"He's not demanding selection by any means.
"When you've got an opportunity to play someone like Pucovski, who's been earmarked as a future star for a while, all those factors combined are enough for me to have him there at the start of the series."
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