Steven Smith will skipper the two Tests, while Pat Cummins will stay at home for the birth of his second child and to manage an ankle ailment.
Nathan McSweeney has been called up for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, Cooper Connolly has earned his maiden Test call-up, while Beau Webster and Sam Konstas have also been included following strong professional debuts.
Nathan Lyon will be joined by left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and offspinner Todd Murphy to give three frontline spinners for the anticipated favorable conditions in Galle, the venue for both Test matches.Mitchell Marsh’s Test future, meanwhile, is now in serious danger after he was left out of the 16-man squad for the last Test against India.
Steven Smith will captain the squad in the absence of Pat Cummins, who will be on paternity leave while recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the home summer. Josh Hazlewood has also been left out to prepare for the Champions Trophy after his India series was cut short due to a calf issue.The chair of selectors, George Bailey, stated that “Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions the players may experience.” Depending on the kind of wickets they might take in each game, this team offers multiple possibilities to arrange the starting lineup.
“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 a number of important tours in coming years.”When the selectors decided to “throw something different” at India during the third Test match, McSweeney was dropped, which resulted in Konstas’ spectacular debut. However, Bailey stated that they were still certain that McSweeney was capable of playing Test cricket.
Connolly, a 21-year-old left-hander and left-arm spinner from Western Australia, offers the team another versatile option for the two Test matches. The prospect of Glenn Maxwell adding to his seven Test caps is virtually eliminated by his inclusion.After coming so close to making the XI on the previous trip of Sri Lanka in 2022, Maxwell had long hoped to be included for the visit.
The last two Test matches against India were significantly impacted by Konstas and Webster. While Webster made a half-century on debut in Sydney and contributed with the ball, Konstas scored 60 from 65 balls at the MCG.
Because of Webster’s performance and the fact that Cameron Green will probably be available later in the year after undergoing back surgery, former captain Aaron Finch thinks Marsh’s return to the format will be difficult.Aaron Finch stated, “I think it’ll be really difficult for Mitch to get back into the side now,” on ESPN’s Around the Wicket. “With Cameron Green returning in early March, there isn’t much cricket left in the summer to make a case. It won’t be likely for me.”
Only three specialized quicks are traveling, along with incumbents Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, and Mitchell Starc.
The team will initially travel to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp before the first Test starts on January 29.
Steven Smith, 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
