Cricket Australia has announced a 16-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to begin on January 29. Star player Steve Smith will lead the Sri Lanka Test team as regular captain Pat Cummins remains in the team. The country for the birth of his second child.
The Australia Test series will be the last red-ball assignment before the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The team has already secured qualification for the World Trade Center Final, which is scheduled to be held at Lord's in June. They advanced to their second consecutive World Trade Center Final in the prestigious red ball tournament.
Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are unlikely to feature for Australia in Tests again
Veteran cricketers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh have been left out of Australia's squad. According to Cricket Australia, Hazlewood is recovering from a calf injury. Both players will focus on preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be played in Pakistan and the UAE in February and March.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell's hopes of a Test return were diminished as he was not selected for the tour. Teenage opener Sam Konstas and all-rounder Beau Webster have retained their places in the team after an impressive debut in the Test against India. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will lead the fast bowling attack.
Cooper Connolly receives first Test call-up for the tour of Sri Lanka
The selectors included versatile 21-year-old Cooper Connolly in the team. Connolly, a left-arm orthodox spinner, received his first call-up from the Test team. He will be with specialist spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Konneman in the slow bowling line-up for the Sri Lanka tour.
The squad also includes two uncapped players Sean Abbott and Josh Inglis, both of whom were part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad. Nathan McSweeney, who lost his place over the summer at home, has been recalled. McSweeney previously played three Test matches during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia lineup for Sri Lanka Tests: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Bolland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kohneman, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc , Beau Webster
Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour – George Bailey
Australian chief selector George Bailey said Sri Lanka was a challenging and exciting place to tour. He stated that the team has flexibility in the playing XI depending on the field. Billy expressed his enthusiasm for providing the opportunity for the team’s emerging players to further develop their skills.
“Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may face,” said George Bailey. “This team offers several ways to organize the lineup depending on the type of wicket they may face in each match.
“We are excited about the opportunity for team members who are at the start of their Test careers to further develop their games in subcontinent conditions where we have a number of important tours in the coming years.”
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