Tasmanian tweaker Matthew Kuhnemann is in the box seat to add to his three Test appearances with Australian selectors poised to announce the left-arm finger spinner in an extended squad for matches in Sri Lanka later this month.
According to sources with knowledge of selection, speaking on the condition of anonymity, Kuhnemann will be named in a 15- or 16-man squad on Thursday.
Kuhnemann, who played three Tests against India on Australia’s last tour of the subcontinent in 2023, has every chance to force his way into the XI for the opening Test in Galle on January 29.
The 28-year-old, who has nine Test wickets at 31.11, was brought in to be around Australia’s squad during the fifth Test against India in Sydney, alongside Todd Murphy and Peter Handscomb. Off-spinner Murphy will also be named in the squad for Sri Lanka.
The likes of Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell will get a clearer understanding of their Test futures on Thursday when Australian selectors unveil an extended squad.
Marsh, who was dropped for Beau Webster for the fifth Test in Sydney, is fighting to keep his place in a squad that will feature at least three specialist spinners.
West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly is in contention as selectors weigh up whether to take one of the country’s brightest young talents on a tour that will be a huge learning experience.
Tasmania’s Matt Kuhnemann celebrates a wicket against NSW in November.Credit: Getty Images
With Webster set to retain his place in the squad following a stellar debut in the Sydney Test, Marsh is under pressure to return to the line-up following an unfortunate golden duck for the Perth Scorchers on Tuesday night.
Former Australian opener Aaron Finch believes Marsh might have played his last Test.
“I think it’ll be really difficult for Mitch to get back into the side now,” Finch said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show. “There is not a huge amount of cricket left in this summer to force a case, with Cameron Green coming back in early March. For me, it’ll be unlikely [he ever plays again].”
Green posted a video to social media on Wednesday of him jogging around the WACA after recovering from back surgery, which ruled him out for the summer and the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.
Connolly, 21, has played just four first-class matches for WA and boasts a batting average 61.8 from six innings, but is yet to reach triple figures.
He bowls steady left-arm orthodox spin in white-ball cricket, but is yet to take a wicket from 16 overs.
Connolly is touted as one of the country’s brightest young prospects, having captained Australia during the 2022 under-19 World Cup in the West Indies.
As of Wednesday, Connolly was the Big Bash’s leading run-scorer for the year, having knocked up 272 runs at an average of 54.4.
Left-arm finger spinners generally have success in Sri Lankan conditions, which is why Australian selectors have discussed Connolly as a genuine touring option.
“You might play a Cooper Connolly, only [based] on conditions,” former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said on the Willow Talk Podcast. “You might need a few left-arm orthodox [deliveries]. You need options, and he bats well to spin also.
“I know it’s a bit left field … I think Cooper Connolly could be a dark horse on that tour.”
Nathan Lyon will be Australia’s first-choice spinner.
Matthew Kuhnemann hasn’t played Test cricket since Australia’s tour of India in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s been unbelievable,” Brisbane Heat and Australian international Spencer Johnson said of Kuhnemann. “I think he deserves a Test call-up.”
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Committee has rated the SCG pitch “satisfactory” after former Australia captain Michael Clarke said it was the worst he had seen in Sydney.
Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday that the ICC had given the Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne pitches “very good” ratings.
Despite the fifth Test against India wrapping up inside three days, the SCG pitch was given the second-highest rating of “satisfactory”.
Venues receive demerit points for “unsatisfactory” or “unfit” ratings.
“We don’t look to prepare wickets that favour the home side or suit our situation in a series,” said Peter Roach, CA’s head of cricket operations and scheduling. “What we seek is a good contest between bat and ball, and pitches that are likely to produce a result.”
Days after Australian opener Usman Khawaja labelled the SCG pitch a “stinker”, Clarke was more scathing.
“I hate saying this out loud – that’s the worst pitch I’ve ever seen in Sydney,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show. “I didn’t think it was a good cricket wicket.
“Australia wins, so I’m not complaining, but if we went to India and played and they produced a wicket like that – in regards to a raging turner and the game was over in two and a half days – I think all Australian cricket fans would be kicking up a stink.
“These wickets in general throughout the whole summer were really tough for batting and great for fast bowling. Sydney was extreme.”
