Langer keeps Ashes door open for Burns

Australian coach Justin Langer says he'll keep a close watch on Joe Burns' recovery from chronic fatigue ahead of the Ashes.

The Test incumbent had to cut his stint in English county cricket short in May after battling the illness, which dates back to a viral infection last October.

Queensland Cricket this week confirmed Burns was experiencing protracted post-infectious fatigue disorder, resulting in "extended symptoms of fatigue and burn-out".

The issue couldn't have come at a worse time for the 29-year-old batsman, given he was expected to be in a shootout with Marcus Harris to partner David Warner in this year's Ashes.

Burns was to have spent the English summer getting red-ball experience with Lancashire, while Harris was in the country playing for Australia A.

"It was really sad to hear he had to go from Lancashire," Langer said.

"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.

"That was the plan initially. Sometimes players change and we'll just have to monitor that over the next a little bit."

Burns has been diagnosed with a complicated and little-understood phenomenon after consulting with specialists. It is described by the US National Library of Medicine as "an all-pervasive complex experience that substantially reduces the ability to function personally or professionally" with a patient's 'functional level' reduced by more than 50 per cent of what it was at pre-illness levels.

Against this context, Burns' 10 matches for the Bulls where he scored 685 runs at 38.05 with six fifties – the seventh most in the Shield competition – and his 180 against Sri Lanka in the Canberra Test match in February take on new light.

Burns played 12 first-class matches for 889 runs at 42.33 across the 2018-19 summer, seven one-day games with Queensland for 223 runs at 55.75, and five BBL games for the Heat.

Harris did not reach three figures during Test series against India and Sri Lanka but was arguably the shining batting light of the Australian home summer with 327 runs at 32.7.

"Marcus Harris had an 1,100-run Shield year," Langer said when asked if Burns' situation left the door open for Harris.

"He played six Test matches. He did a pretty good job and he's on the contract list, so he's a good young player. He took his opportunity.

"There is competition, 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."

Burns has publicly stated he would prefer the opening role, however he could be forced to push for a spot at No.6 in the Ashes.

Usman Khawaja will likely bat at No.3 with Steve Smith returning at No.4, while Travis Head should also be considered a lock at No.5.

That theoretically leaves Kurtis Patterson, Marcus Stoinis, Marnus Labuschagne, Will Pucovski and potentially Burns fighting for a spot both in the extended squad and to bat at No.6 in the first Test on August 1.

Burns today indicated he would return to training within the fortnight, replying on Twitter to a strength and conditioning coach he expected to be at training on June 17.

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