Hazlewood advises Burns to keep things simple at MCG

Fresh from his impressive debut at the Gabba in the second cricket match against India, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has advised young Joe Burns, who is set to play his first Test at the MCG on Boxing Day, to keep things simple.

The 25-year-old Queensland batsman has come into the side in place of the injured Mitchell Marsh and is expected to bat at number six. The promising talent has vowed to keep preparations as routine as possible, and Hazlewood agreed it was the right approach.

"Know your role and go out there and do what you've been doing. It's obviously got you this far, so don't change anything," Hazlewood said.

"I've played against Joe a few times in Shield cricket and he's always peeled off a hundred against us. He's a pretty special player."

‘There was a few nerves there’

Hazlewood, 23, became the 33rd Australian to register a five-wicket haul on Test debut, troubling India in the first innings with his swing and bounce at the Gabba. The young pacer though had to battle cramps and nerves on day one and expects his second outing to be smooth.

"There was a few nerves there, the night before and the morning of. Receiving the baggy cap was pretty special and nerve-wracking," he said.

"It was good I opened the bowling and got that first over out of the way and could get into my work after that.

"The weather's a lot better down here for bowling so it should be a bit cooler and I should be able to get through it."

Having played 45 first-class matches, Hazlewood said the biggest surprise about Test cricket was "just how hard it is every ball".

"You have to get it in the right areas, otherwise you do go for runs and the pressure relieves (on the batsmen)," he said.