Galle: Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann is one training session away from a remarkable return to the Australian Test team, barely a week after requiring surgery on a badly dislocated thumb.
At the other end of the batting order, Usman Khawaja believes Sam Konstas should stay as his opening partner in Sri Lanka, echoing the views of Ricky Ponting that a batting reshuffle would be detrimental to the 19-year-old.
Matt Kuhnemann is in line to play his first Test since early 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Sporting a bright-green guard on the thumb of his non-bowling hand, Kuhnemann professed that he was pain-free and ready to prove his capability to be a key member of the tourists’ bowling attack on what is likely to be a sharply turning Galle pitch. Only a setback after training over the next couple of days would hold him back.
In fact, he argued that the surgery meant his right thumb would be better in the long run than it had been before he was struck by a Matthew Wade straight drive in a BBL game at the Gabba last week.
“Bowling, batting, fielding … I’ve done it back in Australia last week, so they’ll be fine, it’s just how it pulls up the next couple of days in this weather, the humidity and hot weather,” Kuhnemann said after offering a firm shake with his right hand.
“I think because I broke that finger a couple of years ago and didn’t get surgery it probably wasn’t as stable as it was [previously]. From what the doctor said, it was a freak accident – it hit the exact place where it had to hit. Now there’s a couple of screws in there, it’s a lot more stable.
“[The] first thing that went into my head [when it happened] was, ‘Oh no this doesn’t look good’, but I was very fortunate, I had a great surgeon and medical team to do such a quick and effective job, so by the next day I was hopeful.”
Kuhnemann did a fine job for Australia in India in 2023 after being rushed into the side after the first Test, and has since demonstrated his adaptability as a bowler by moving states and playing consistently for Tasmania despite unhelpful pitches.
“That was a whirlwind experience,” Kuhnemann said of the India tour. “I was fortunate I arrived in Delhi the day before the boys arrived from the first Test. So I had a day by myself to have a session and calm the nerves.
“When the pitch does provide some assistance, your job is to keep hitting the same area and using the crease. But that’s about just bowling to a marker before the batters get in there. That’s how I’ve always done it and testing yourself and doing it six out of six times and putting a bit of pressure on it.”
Sam Konstas with Usman Khawaja.Credit: Getty Images
Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon and all-rounder Beau Webster shape as the likely spin trio for Australia should they wish to play two pace bowlers in Galle. Otherwise, off-spinner Todd Murphy and Cooper Connolly are viable options to add to the slow-bowling arsenal for acting captain Steve Smith.
Khawaja, meanwhile, agrees with Ponting that Konstas should have the opportunity to open in Sri Lanka, rather than pushing Travis Head up to the top of the order as happened in India.
“I’m very conservative in that nature – I’m a bit the same [as Ponting], you’ve got two openers so open with them,” he said. “I’ve always been that nature because I’ve been on so many subcontinent tours and been shuffled or dropped, and I don’t necessarily agree with that.
“You’ve got your best team, so stick with it. Let them learn in all different conditions and then whatever happens from there, is there.”
Reflecting on his own early days in the team, Khawaja marvelled at how the likes of Konstas, Nathan McSweeney and Connolly had struck a balance between confidence and learning from their older peers.
“You’ve got to be yourself,” Khawaja said. “19 is young – I could not even imagine myself being thrust into the Australian team at that age. It’s a steep learning curve, so he’s going to have some steep learning curves throughout his career. He’s going to learn a lot about his game and himself, go through ups and downs.
“The beauty of Sam is he’s very easy to talk to, [and] very receptive to feedback, which is a great trait to have. The younger generation have this air of confidence about them these days – Sam, Nath, Cooper, even – they’re really receptive, [and] eager to learn. You be yourself, but they’re also able to quieten down and listen when the time is right.”
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