Steve Smith has been named as the interim captain for the Australian cricket team for their upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on January 29, 2025. This appointment comes in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, who will be on paternity leave and also managing a minor ankle issue.
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| Image Credits: Times of India |
The squad for the tour includes a mix of experience and youth, with new faces like former Australia U19 Cricket World Cup captain Cooper Connolly receiving his first Test squad call-up. Nathan McSweeney has also been recalled after missing the last two Tests against India in the Border-Gavaskar Series. Spinners Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy return for the tour, adding to the experience of Nathan Lyon, while the pace attack will be led by Mitchell Starc, with support from Sean Abbott and Scott Boland.
Notably, players like Josh Hazlewood who was injured in the recent BGT series at home and out-of-form Mitchell Marsh will not be part of this tour. The squad selection reflects Australia's strategy to adapt to the challenging conditions expected in Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on spin bowling options.
This series is part of the World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle, although the final spots are already secured by Australia and South Africa. Both the Test matches on this Sri Lanka tour will take place in Galle, with the first Test from January 29 to February 2 and the second from February 6 to February 10.
Australia squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
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