New Delhi: Australia announced a 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting from January 29. Cooper Connolly has earned his maiden Test call up while Nathan McSweeney has been recalled for the Test series. Sam Konstas and Beau Webster are also included after making brilliant starts to their careers in the Test series against India.
Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and offspinner Todd Murphy will join veteran Nathan Lyon to provide three frontline spinning options for the team on a slow pitch at Galle which will host both Test matches. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has struggled with bat and ball in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been dropped from the team.
Steven Smith will lead the side in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins who will be on paternity leave and recovering from an ankle injury which he has managed during the home summer. Josh Hazlewood has also been left out of the team to prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy after his India series was curtailed by a calf injury.
“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” said chair of selectors George Bailey.
The 21-year-old Connolly is in sensational form in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) and has impressed selectors with his all-round performances. Konstas and Webster made a significant impact in the last two Test matches against India. Konstas scored 60 runs off 65 balls in the Boxing Day Test at MCG while Webster amassed a half-century on debut in Sydney and also contributed with the ball. Australia have already qualified for the final of the World Test Championship and will face South Africa on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Australia squad for Test series vs Sri Lanka
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
Steve Smith will lead the Australian team for the Sri Lanka series as regular captain Pat Cummins will miss the Test tour due to personal reasons. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
