With regular captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood not available for various reasons, Australia has picked young all-rounder Cooper Connolly and recalled Nathan McSweeney for the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka.
In Cummins' absence, the selectors have named Steve Smith as captain of the 16-player squad for the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, scheduled to kick off on January 29 in Galle.
Western Australia’s Connolly has received his maiden Test call-up, while McSweeney has been recalled after missing the latter part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The squad also includes emerging talents Sam Konstas and Beau Webster, who were rewarded for their impressive debuts against India.
Connolly, a 21-year-old left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, has been included as a versatile all-round option. Connolly’s selection not only underscores his potential but also signals the selectors' intent to develop young players in challenging subcontinental conditions.
Three spinners
Set to play on Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches, the selectors have included three frontline spinners -- Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Matt Kuhnemann. Lyon, Australia’s premier offspinner, will lead the spin attack, while Murphy and Kuhnemann are expected to offer valuable support.
Chair of selectors, George Bailey said the tour will be challenging.
Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions the players may experience. This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets they may encounter in each match.
Smith will captain the side in the absence of Cummins, who is on paternity leave and recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the home summer. Smith’s leadership will be pivotal as Australia navigates the challenging conditions in Sri Lanka.
Fast bowler Hazlewood has also been omitted, with selectors opting to rest him ahead of the Champions Trophy after his participation in the India series was cut short by a calf injury.
Australia will travel with three specialist pacers: Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Sean Abbott. With spin expected to dominate the series, the pace trio will be tasked with complementing the spinners and exploiting any assistance for seamers.
The inclusion of Webster and Konstas further strengthens Australia’s all-round capabilities. Both players made significant contributions during the India series, with Konstas scoring a brisk 60 at the MCG and Webster making a half-century on debut in Sydney while chipping in with the ball.
With the selectors recalling McSweeney, who was dropped after the third Test against India, Mitchell Marsh’s Test career appears uncertain. After being omitted from the final Test against India and excluded from this squad, the all-rounder’s future in the longest format remains in jeopardy.
Bailey emphasised the importance of preparing for upcoming subcontinent tours.
We are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their Test careers to continue to grow their games in subcontinent conditions where we have several important tours in coming years.
Australia squad for Sri Lanka tour:
- Steven Smith (captain)
- Sean Abbott
- Scott Boland
- Alex Carey
- Cooper Connolly
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Usman Khawaja
- Sam Konstas
- Matt Kuhnemann
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Nathan Lyon
- Nathan McSweeney
- Todd Murphy
- Mitchell Starc
- Beau Webster
