Cooper Connolly, Nathan McSweeney in Australia's side for Sri Lanka Test series, Pat Cummins to be rested

The Australian cricket team has announced its 16-man Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Nathan McSweeney and Cooper Connolly included, while Mitchell Marsh has been left out. Steve Smith will captain the side, with Pat Cummins remaining at home for the birth of his second child. McSweeney and Connolly are the highlights of this squad, with Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann set to be the second and third spin options after Nathan Lyon.

Josh Hazlewood is absent due to an extended recovery from a calf injury, and Glenn Maxwell's Test career appears to be over as he was also not selected. Peter Handscomb, despite an excellent record against spin and a phenomenal 2024 first-class season, was also overlooked, with Josh Inglis being another reserve batter.

Chief selector George Bailey said, "Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting touring location where players can experience different environmental conditions." He added, "This squad provides options to structure the starting XI depending on the type of pitches we may encounter in each game. We are excited for those players at the beginning of their Test careers to continue their growth in subcontinental conditions over the coming years, with a number of important tours ahead."

Australia's squad means the selectors have plenty of choices for the first Test in Galle on January 29. They are likely to stick with the same top seven that played in Sydney last week, with Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas as the opening batters. However, Travis Head has had success at the top of the order before, including during Australia's most recent tour of India in 2023. If Head is promoted, then Inglis, McSweeney, or Connolly would have a chance to get into the team.

McSweeney opened the batting in his first Test stint this season, but was dropped on Boxing Day after averaging 14.4 for 72 runs across his first three games. Given he had never opened in Sheffield Shield before his Test selection this season, his future is likely to be in the middle order. The 25-year-old has batted at No. 3 for South Australia this season, averaging 97, but has previously played further down the order. Connolly's inclusion is also noteworthy, with the 21-year-old being a spinning all-rounder and considered one of the country's most promising young players.

With Cummins absent and Mitchell Starc battling ankle soreness, Starc, Scott Boland and Sean Abbott are the only three fast bowlers in the Sri Lanka squad. If Australia chooses to play the three frontline spinners in Lyon, Kuhnemann and Murphy, then it is likely only one of these three will feature in the starting XI. Australia’s 3-1 win in the Gavaskar Trophy means they have already qualified for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in London in June. But the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy is still the goal for the two-Test series, with Australia aiming to maintain their status of holding all available bilateral Test trophies.

Australia's Test squad for Sri Lanka: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.