Joe Burns set to make return to competitive cricket ahead of Ashes

Australia international Joseph Anthony Burns made his Test debut with the national team back in 2014 against India on the boxing day Test. Since then, Burns featured in 16 Test match outings for Australia but never managed to fully hold down a spot in the Australian Test team. However, the middle-order batsman had to take a break from the national team after he was diagnosed with post-viral fatigue, stemming from a virus he suffered in October 2018.

However, the 29-year-old has been training with Queensland for two weeks but has now confirmed he is ready to return to playing competitive cricket and could make his case for the Australia ‘A’ cricket team ahead of the upcoming Ashes series.

"Great news today that after clearances and a few solid weeks training with @qldcricket that I'm ready to get back on the park and play. Thank you to everyone for all the kind messages of support over this period. Can't wait to get out there and get stuck in," Burns Tweeted.

Burns signed with Lancashire ahead of the 2019 County Championship in England but failed to play in the competition due to his fatigue issues. Australia coach Justin Langer was hoping to see him show his class in UK conditions during the County Championship.

"It was really sad to hear he had to go from Lancashire. I think there is some good process in place. I'm (across) it but he's one player we were hoping would play six, seven, eight games of red-ball cricket," Langer told cricket.com.au

"There is competition (for batting spots), which is really good. I guess the tough thing for Joe is having not played any cricket leading up to whether he comes back to England or not. But there's a fair bit to happen before we make a decision on that," Langer added.