Debutant Joe Burns will bat at No.6 for Australia in the Boxing Day Test.

Stand-in skipper Steve Smith confirmed his XI on Christmas Day, with Burns and Ryan Harris coming into the side at the expense of paceman Mitchell Starc and injured allrounder Mitch Marsh.

Burns has been opening for Queensland this Sheffield Shield season and there had been calls for him to be blooded at first drop in a reshuffled batting order.

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However, Smith opted for continuity in the third Test against India with Burns taking Marsh’s place in the order.

“Shane Watson’s best suited at the top of the order … Joe will slot in at No.6,” Smith said.

“Mitch has been playing some pretty good cricket … he was starting to find his feet.

“Disappointing for him … but Joe Burns gets his opportunity on Boxing Day and it’s going to be a very special week for him.”

Australia will reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy if they defeat India at the MCG, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series.