Ryan Harris back in Australia XI for Boxing Day Test; Joe Burns to bat at No. 6

Steve Smith

Australia have made two changes to their playing XI for the third Test against India, which is starting on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Queensland batsman Joe Burns, who was drafted into the squad after the Gabba Test in place of injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, will make his debut in the game. Fast bowler Ryan Harris, who missed the last match at Brisbane, also returns to the playing eleven in place of Mitchell Starc.

Australian captain Steve Smith told reporters on Thursday that Burns will bat at No. 6.

Smith said: "Joe Burns gets his opportunity on Boxing Day and it's going to be a very special week for him. Yes, it is a big occasion. You've got to try to get that out of your mind. You've got to enjoy it.

“It's just another cricket game for him. He's been hitting the ball really well. I'm looking forward to seeing him come out here and hopefully score a few runs in this Test match.”

"Shane Watson's best suited at the top of the order ... Joe will slot in at number six," he added.

Smith also expressed his disappointment on Mitchell Marsh, who injured his hamstring while bowling in the second Test, missing out. "It is tough. Mitch Marsh has been playing some pretty good cricket. He played beautifully over in the UAE, and was starting to find his feet. It's disappointing for him to be out through injury,” the 25-year-old said.

Watson’s fine, I have to manage him well: Smith

When asked how Shane Watson has been coping up with the blow sustained on his head while practicing at the nets on Tuesday, Smith said that the all-rounder was shaken up a bit, but recovered and trained well the next day.

"Watto's okay. He was a little bit shaken up with the hit the other day, but he trained well yesterday and he's going well so I'm sure he'll be fine. I've just got to manage him right.

“If we've got to go in to bat, I've got to make sure he hasn't bowled too many overs at the end there so he's fresh when he gets out there to bat. That's the most important thing to me. I certainly think he's a top-three batsman," Smith said.

On Starc not finding a spot in the eleven, Smith said that it’s tough on fast bowlers to play consecutive Tests, before indicating that the left-armer could return for the final Test, at Sydney.

"He'll go back and play a bit of Big Bash and keep his loads up.You never know [when his next opportunity may come]. Three back-to-back Test matches is pretty heavy on our fast bowlers so we might see him back in the team next week,” he said.

Australia XI: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.