Australia faces a difficult selection situation.
Following their 3-1 defeat of India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, World Test Championship finalists Australia face a tough selection situation for their two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka.
The defending WTC champions are unlikely to travel with captain Pat Cummins as he awaits the birth of his second child.
Another senior pacer, Josh Hazlewood, is likely to be ruled out of the series from January 29 after suffering a calf strain during the third Test against India at the Gabba.
Although Hazlewood is considered to be in good form, Australia are unlikely to release the 33-year-old for the Sri Lanka series as he is yet to fully recover from his calf injury. The leading pacer has been struggling with ankle and Achilles problems for the last few years.
Australia to miss two senior Pacers for Sri Lanka Test tour
In the absence of Pat Cummins and Hazlewood, the Australian selectors could opt for Scott Boland or rookie Beau Webster or both to partner Mitchell Starc in attack. Steve Smith is the most likely choice to captain the team.
Australia are considering a combination of three spinners and two frontline fast bowling options that could see Boland get the nod following his 21 wickets in three Tests against India.
Nathan Lyon will take charge of the visitors’ attack in spin-friendly conditions, with Toddy Murphy and Matt Kunhemann providing specialists and Travis Head also a useful part-time option.
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Australia’s last tour of Sri Lanka for two Tests was in 2022, where they shared the spoils 1-1. This year, they will play two more Tests against Sri Lanka from January 29 to February 10 in Galle and a solitary ODI on February 13 whose venue is yet to be decided. The Baggy Greens will defend their WTC title against South Africa in the final at Lord’s from June 11-15.
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