7 slow-bowling options among 16 players as Australia announce squad for SL vs AUS 2025 Tests

Cricket Australia have selected seven slow-bowling options for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning on January 29 in Galle. Cooper Connolly has received his maiden call-up to the Test squad, while Steve Smith will lead the side as Pat Cummins chose to sit out due to the impending birth of his second child.

While Nathan Lyon remains the senior spinner in the touring party, Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy have been recalled to add to their Test appearances. Nathan McSweeney is yet another candidate to return to the ranks after losing his spot in the middle of the home Test series against India.

Josh Inglis and Sean Abbott, both of who are yet to play Test cricket, have also been included in the squad to face Sri Lanka. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were not considered for the tour and the trio will focus on preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy that follows the Sri Lanka Tests.

Connolly has played only four first-class matches to date, scoring 309 runs but is yet to take a wicket. The glut of spin-bowling options means Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will shoulder the pace-bowling duties, while Beau Webster, who enjoyed a stellar debut, will complement them well. Travis Head will serve as Smith's deputy on the tour.

Australia's squad: 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.

"Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour" - Australia chief selector

George Bailey. (Image Credits: Getty)

Australia's chief selector George Bailey addressed the squad selections, trusting them to serve the objective. The former middle-order batter stated, as quoted by cricket.com.au:

"Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may be presented with. This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets we may encounter in each match."

The Baggy Greens, led by Cummins, drew the two-Test series 1-1 in Sri Lanka in 2022.