Mitchell Marsh is set to be withdrawn from Australia's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which is part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship. Cooper Connolly and Glenn Maxwell are in the running to make the team as cops, alongside Beau Webster, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Australia are yet to announce their Test squad series in Sri Lanka, which will begin on January 29 at the Galle International Stadium. Given the expected favoring conditions, the Men in Yellow can rely on up to three front-line spinners, with Travis Head also providing part-time off-spin options for the team.
Mitchell Marsh will be withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming Test series
The selectors are expected to include batsman Pete Handscomb in the squad and 21-year-old Cooper Connolly is also being considered. Connolly, who has already represented Australia in white-ball cricket and has played just four first-class games so far, is seen as a future Test prospect.
Beau Webster is likely to remain in the squad, which could signal the end of Mitchell Marsh's Test career. Glenn Maxwell is also an outsider for selection due to his experience in the subcontinent. The squad is expected to be announced soon and will give Maxwell a clearer picture of his Test future.
It will be really difficult for Mitchell Marsh to come back now – Aaron Finch
Former Australian opener Aaron Finch believes Mitchell Marsh could have played his last Test. Finch said that with little cricket left in the current summer and Cameron Greene returning 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 very difficult for Mitch (Mitchell Marsh) to come back now,” Finch said on ESPN's Around the Wicket. “There's not a huge amount of cricket left this summer to force a case, with Cameron Green returning at the start of March. To me, it's unlikely (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. He bowls orthodox left-arm spin in white-ball cricket but is yet to take a wicket from 16 overs. He is the highest run scorer in the Big Bash with 272 runs at an average of 54.4.
Nathan McSweeney, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy likely to be recalled for Sri Lanka tour
Nathan Lyon is guaranteed a place in Australia's squad for the Sri Lanka tour, while Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann are both in contention for a recall. Kuhnemann is a particularly interesting option because it offers a different variation of rotation. He was part of Australia's squad during the 2023 series in India.
Kuhnemann has not played since, with the selectors favoring Murphy in a back-up role. Kuhnemann took nine wickets in his three Test appearances. Murphy is also expected to be included. Both spinners are likely to feature 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 opening matches.