Australia recalled opener Nathan McSweeney and called up all-rounder Cooper Connolly on Thursday for the first time in a spin-heavy Test squad under the captaincy of Steve Smith for the tour of Sri Lanka.
Regular skipper Pat Cummins stays home for the birth of his second child while fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is rested after picking up a calf injury.
Meanwhile, out-of-form all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who was dropped from the fifth Test against India, remained out of favour for the series.
McSweeney was axed after just three matches for the fourth India Test after failing to justify his inclusion at the top of the order and replaced by fearless 19-year-old Sam Konstas.
Both opening batters are included in the Australia squad for the two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle beginning on January 29.
Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy have been included to join Test regular Nathan Lyon as specialist spinners.
Connolly, 21, is in line to make his Test debut, with selectors prizing his ability to bowl left-arm offspin, an asset on Sri Lanka’s turning pitches.
“Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may be presented with,” selector George Bailey said. “This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets we may encounter in each match.”
After an impressive debut in the final Test against India in Sydney, all-rounder Beau Webster retains his place over the out-of-favour Marsh, as selectors looked to inject some youth into the touring party.
“We are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their Test careers to continue to grow their games in subcontinent conditions, where we have a number of important tours in coming years,” Bailey said.
Australia have recently defeated India 3-1 in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home.
Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
READ: Martin Guptill announces retirement from international cricket
LONDON: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Saim Ayub continues his recovery journey as he visited a private…
Pakistan faced a significant setback ahead of their upcoming home Test series against West Indies…
Lahore Qalandars on Thursday appointed former England pace bowler Darren Gough as the head coach…
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday unveiled the complete schedule of the men’s domestic…
KARACHI: A six-member International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation visited the National Bank Stadium here on Thursday…
New Zealand explosive top-order batter Martin Guptill announced his retirement from international cricket at the age…