Mitchell Marsh is set to be dropped from Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which is part of the World Test Championship 2023-25. Cooper Connolly and Glenn Maxwell are in the race to make it into the squad as all-rounders, along with Beau Webster, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Australia is set to announce their squad for the Test series in Sri Lanka, which will begin on January 29 at the Galle International Stadium. Given the expected spin-friendly conditions, the Men in Yellow may rely on up to three frontline spinners, with Travis Head also providing part-time off-spin options for the team.
Mitchell Marsh to Be Dropped from Squad for Upcoming Test Series
The selectors are expected to include batter Pete Handscomb in the squad, with 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly also being considered. Connolly, who has already represented Australia in white-ball cricket and has only played four first-class games so far, is seen as a future Test prospect.
Beau Webster is likely to remain in the team, which could signal the end of Mitchell Marsh’s Test career. Glenn Maxwell is also an outside contender for selection due to his subcontinent experience. The squad is expected to be announced soon, and it will give Maxwell a clearer picture of his Test future.
It’ll Be Really Difficult 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 little cricket left in the current summer and Cameron Green returning in March, it will be difficult for Marsh to reclaim his spot. Finch feels it is unlikely that Marsh will play Test cricket again.
“I think it’ll be really difficult for Mitch (Mitchell Marsh) 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].”
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 left-arm orthodox spin in white-ball cricket but has yet to take a wicket from 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 Recalled for Sri Lanka Tour
Nathan Lyon is guaranteed a spot in Australia’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour, while Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann are both in contention for recalls. Kuhnemann is a particularly intriguing option as he offers a different spin variation. He was part of Australia’s squad during the 2023 India series.
Kuhnemann hasn’t played since, with selectors favoring Murphy as the backup spinner. Kuhnemann has taken 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 spot in the XI.
Nathan McSweeney is also set to receive a recall for the Sri Lanka tour after being dropped from the Test squad in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 following his failures with the bat in the first few matches.