Steve Smith will skipper Australia in place of Pat Cummins.
On Thursday, Australia recalled opener Nathan McSweeney and brought up all-rounder Cooper Connolly for the first time in a spin-heavy Test team for the Sri Lanka tour, captained by Steve Smith. Regular skipper Pat Cummins stays at home to care for his second child, while fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood rests after suffering a calf injury. Mitch Marsh, who was dropped, has no place in the 16-man squad. McSweeney was replaced by courageous 19-year-old Sam Konstas after only three matches in the fourth India Test, having failed to justify his placement at the top of the order.
Both are in the team for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on January 29 in Galle.
Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy will join Nathan Lyon as specialist spinners in the Tests.
Connolly, 21, is expected to make his Test debut, with selectors valuing his ability to bowl left-arm offspin, which is useful on Sri Lanka’s shifting surfaces.
“Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may be presented with,” the selector, George Bailey, stated.”This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets we may encounter in each match.”
All-rounder Beau Webster keeps his spot over the unpopular Marsh after making an outstanding debut in the last Test match against India in Sydney. Selectors wanted to include some young players to the touring team.
“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,” Bailey added.Australia recently finished the home series with a 3-1 victory over India.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (capt), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
