 An adaptable cricketer, he appeared for Cumberland and Warwickshire as a wicket-keeper, but when he moved to Somerset he developed into an aggressive batsman who bowled at medium-pace when needed.Burns started his cricket career with Cumberland in 1988, but moved to Warwickshire in late 1990.He struggled to break into the first team with his new county, and spent most of his time with the club playing in the second team.