Mitchell Marsh is set to be dropped from Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which is part of the 2023-25 Test World Cup. Cooper Connolly and Glenn Maxwell are in the running to make the team as all-rounders, along with Beau Webster, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Australia are all set to announce their Test squad series in Sri Lanka, which will begin on January 29 at the Galle International Stadium. With spin-friendly conditions expected, the Men in Yellow can rely on up to three front-line spinners, with Travis Head also providing the team with off-spin options on a temporary basis.
Mitchell Marsh will be dropped from the squad for the upcoming Test series
The selectors are expected to include batsman Pete Handscomb in the squad, while 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly is also being considered. Connolly, who has already represented Australia in white-ball cricket and has played just four first-class matches so far, is seen as a future Test contender.
Beau Webster is likely to remain in the squad, which could spell the end of Mitchell Marsh’s Test career. Glenn Maxwell is also an outsider for selection because of his experience in the subcontinent. The squad is expected to be announced soon, which will give Maxwell a clearer picture of his Test future.
It will be really tough for Mitchell Marsh to get back into the side now – Aaron Finch
Former Australian opener Aaron Finch believes Mitchell Marsh may have played his last Test. Finch said that with some cricket left in this summer and Cameron Green when he returns in March, it will be difficult for Marsh to regain his place. Finch believes Marsh is unlikely to play Test cricket again.
“I think it’s going to be really difficult for Mitch (Mitchell Marsh) to get back into the side now,” Finch said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket. “There isn’t much cricket left to make a case this summer, with Cameron Green coming back in early March. It will be unlikely for me [he ever plays again].”
Cooper Connolly has played four first-class matches for Western Australia but has an impressive batting average of 61.8 from six innings. In white-ball cricket, he bowls orthodox left-arm spin but is yet to take a wicket in 16 overs. He is the leading run scorer in the Big Bash with 272 runs at an average of 54.4.
Nathan McSweeney, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy likely to be called up for Sri Lanka tour
Nathan Lyon is guaranteed a place in Australia’s squad to tour Sri Lanka, while Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann are both in contention for a recall. Kuhnemann is a particularly intriguing option because it offers a different spin variation. He was part of the Australian squad during the 2023 India series.
Kuhnemann has not played since, and the selectors favored Murphy as a backup. Kuhnemann took nine wickets in his three Test appearances. Murphy is also expected to be involved. Both spinners are likely to be in the squad to be announced, but Kuhnemann could find a place in the XI.
Nathan McSweeney is also set to receive a recall for the Sri Lanka tour after being dropped from the Test squad midway through the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy following his failures with the bat in the first few matches.
