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12-02-2025
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Aussie spinner hit with ban in staggering fallout to Test heroics in Sri Lanka
Matt Kuhnemann was Australia's leading wicket-taker in their 2-0 Test series triumph over Sri Lanka. But his dream has turned to a nightmare after he was reported for a suspect bowling action this week and banned from ICC-sanctioned events until he's cleared. Only weeks after a dislocated thumb threatened his tour, the left-arm spinner asserted himself as a must-pick for future Asian tours with a series-leading 16 wickets at an average of 17.18. But news emerged on Wednesday that Kuhnemann's bowling action has been reported by match officials, and he will now have to undergo mandatory testing. Kuhnemann will have his action put under the microscope over the next three weeks - likely at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. The results will be analysed by a bio-mechanist and the findings sent to the International Cricket Council. Players are allowed a maximum of 15 degrees of flex in their bowling arm, and anything more is illegal under ICC laws. Fellow Aussie Chris Green had his action tested in 2020 and was banned for 90 days by Cricket Australia, while the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan and Jasprit Bumrah have gotten away with questionable actions due to hyperextension rather than flexion. Matt Kuhnemann's series v Sri Lanka:• Wickets: 16• Average: 17.2• Strike Rate: 34.7And here's all 16 of those wickets 🔥 #SLvAUS — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 10, 2025 RELATED: Mitchell Starc adds to Aussie bowling woes for Champions Trophy Brad Haddin reveals truth about Marnus as Gilchrist makes shock call Cricket Australia have reportedly been left completely surprised by the decision to report Kuhnemann considering he's been playing first-class cricket for four years without issue. He also played three Tests in India in 2023 and his action didn't raise any suspicions then. According to reports, Kuhnemann might still be allowed to play Sheffield Shield for Tasmania while the results of the tests are being analysed. However he won't be able to participate in international events sanctioned by the ICC until he is cleared. If he's found to have an illegal action he'll face a period of time out of the game until it's found to meet standards. He won't play in the ICC-sanctioned Champions Trophy later this month after being overlooked for selection. Speaking after Australia's 2-0 win over Sri Lanka, Nathan Lyon heaped praise on Kuhnemann. 'Kuhny has been exceptional, and he deserves all the praise that he gets,' Lyon said, . 'The way he broke his thumb three weeks ago and to show the courage to come out here and bowl, I know it's hurting him, but he's there, he's shown a lot of courage and he's bowling exceptionally well. 'He just keeps telling me he's a Queenslander and they're built differently apparently ... even though he plays for Tasmania. He's bowling his best ball over and over and challenging guys' defence, and that's all we can ask. I'm extremely proud, especially given the Test matches he's played, for him to take 16 wickets in this series. I think he's been our best bowler.' Very intrigued to see what the findings of the test will be for Matt Kuhnemann. To see if the trademark locking of the wrist creates an optical illusion of flex as some have suggested or if there is indeed something more to it — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 12, 2025 Matt Kuhnemann's action reported during his 16 wicket haul in Sri Lanka Test series. This is the group of officials for the two matches. — 🎙️QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) February 12, 2025
Yahoo
09-02-2025
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Australia's blueprint for subcontinent success
With their rout of Sri Lanka, Australia have created a blueprint for success on the subcontinent ahead of a legacy-defining tour to India in 2027. Stand-in captain Steve Smith felt Australia's visit to Galle could "probably not" have gone better than it did as the curtain came down on the second Test on Sunday. The tourists handed their hosts their biggest-ever Test loss - by an innings and 242 runs - in the first match and followed that up with a nine-wicket rout in the second. It's a 2-0 series win for Australia in Sri Lanka!For the first time since 2006, Australia sweep a Test series in Asia 💪#SLvAUS — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 9, 2025 It marked Australia's first series win in Sri Lanka since 2011, and their first whitewash on the subcontinent since a 2006 visit to Bangladesh. But perhaps more importantly, the series stood in as a trial run for Australia's next trip to the subcontinent in 2027, when they will target a first series win in India since 2004. Veteran Nathan Lyon notably said between Tests that Australia's status as a great team would hinge on their ability to beat England and India away from home, and Smith felt the squad was on their way to mastering subcontinent conditions. "We've learnt so much about playing in the subcontinent and we put all that into play in the last two games. It's been great to witness," Smith said. "The guys did it as well as I've seen an Australian team do it in the subcontinent since I've been playing." Australia had won only one of their previous five matches in Sri Lanka but came better prepared for the turning surfaces on the back of their Dubai training camp. The confident tourists completely outbatted their rivals. Australia made five centuries, with an unbeaten 85 from No.7 Kusal Mendis representing the hosts' best individual score. Smith felt the key had been allowing players to attack bowlers in their own ways. While Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey swept to their hearts' content as the top-scorers in the first and second Tests respectively, Smith used his hands to find gaps in the field. His trademark cover drive was on full show making 141, and then 131, as player of the series. "Everyone's got different methods but it's a method that works for them," Smith said. "We're just far better equipped to play in these conditions and understand them a lot more than we used to." Remaining adaptable also worked to Australia's benefit, even if it led to some tough selection calls. There was no space in the XI for Sam Konstas despite his solid first two Tests at home as Travis Head was preferred at the top for his track record against spin. When the surface looked likely to make life hard for the batters in the second Test, selectors made a risky call to drop front-line spinner Todd Murphy for batting allrounder Cooper Connolly - previously uncapped at Test level. "You've got to attack every surface how it needs to be played on," Smith said. "That's what we've done really well. We obviously left out Todd for this one, which was unfortunate for him, but we wanted a little bit of extra batting." Each player was adaptable, too, with Smith even trying his hand at the reverse sweep on the turning deck in the second Test. Elsewhere, Beau Webster employed both pace and spin when thrown the ball at different times in the series. "We had a really well-balanced squad, plenty of options available for whatever we wanted to go with," Smith said. "Everyone that played did a good job."
Yahoo
07-02-2025
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There's room for both me and Inglis in future: Carey
Alex Carey is hopeful both he and Josh Inglis can co-exist in future Test teams as Australia braces for a selection squeeze after the Sri Lanka series. Carey has been Australia's wicketkeeper since the summer of 2021/22, with back-up gloveman Inglis having had to wait for a Test debut as a specialist batter in the two-match series in Galle. Inglis made 102 in his first Test knock in the series opener, announcing himself as a selection option for the World Test Championship Final in June and beyond. "Josh is a great mate of mine, so to get see him score a Test hundred was just amazing," Carey said. But things mightn't be as easy as just keeping Inglis in the team, with Sam Konstas pushing for a recall at the top of the order after Travis Head was shifted up from No.5 for Sri Lanka. Allrounder Cameron Green should also be fit to bat by the time of the WTC final against South Africa, while Nathan McSweeney is pushing for a first Test in his preferred middle-order spot. Things would become even cloudier if Cooper Connolly hit a big score on Test debut this week. One option might have been to play Inglis as wicketkeeper in Carey's place if he showed better form with the bat. ALEX CAREY TEST CENTURY 💯The second of his career and his first away from home, in a superb innings!#SLvAUS — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 7, 2025 But Carey made a blistering and unbeaten 139 on day two of the second Sri Lanka Test in Galle on Friday - a new Test high-score for the incumbent keeper. "I stuck to a plan and process and kept it pretty simple," Carey said as Australia went to stumps at 3-330, 73 runs ahead of the hosts. Australia will have the WTC final and a three-match series against West Indies to refine their XI for the home Ashes. Inglis was picked in Sri Lanka largely for his expertise against spin but Carey was hopeful there would be space for both himself and his mate going forward. Australia previously employed a wicketkeeper as a specialist batter with Matthew Wade playing in the middle order during Tim Paine's Test captaincy. Carey and Inglis have played in tandem in one day internationals as recently as the spring tour of the UK. "He's playing really well. He's a great batsman," Carey said. "I feel like if I can continue to improve as well and play as long as possible, and we've done it in white ball cricket as well, I think we can certainly co-exist. "We both know our roles in the team and trying to play them both as best we can." Australia's preference is for Carey to remain wicketkeeper, with the 33-year-old taking his tidy form from the home summer into the Sri Lanka series. Carey's three stumpings in the first Test were the most by any Australian keeper in a match in Sri Lanka. "As far as I'm concerned, it's his job," said stand-in captain Steve Smith ahead of the second Test. "From my point of view, I think he's keeping as well as I've ever seen him keep. "He's batting beautifully too."
Yahoo
06-02-2025
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Australia on top as Sri Lanka collapse in second Test
Soon-to-be milestone man Nathan Lyon and the hot hand of Travis Head have put Australia back on top at tea on the first day in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Pushing to avoid a series whitewash, Sri Lanka undid their good work from the first session as they lost 4-34 on a pitch tipped to only become trickier for the batters. There's plenty of turn in the wicket already, with Dinesh Chandimal (70no) the batting order's shining light for a second-straight Test. Sri Lanka went to tea at 5-144 after eating their lunch on 1-87. Only one wicket away from 550 Test scalps, Lyon (3-42) needed only 10 minutes to swing momentum in Australia's favour after lunch. He bowled around the wicket and snuck past the bat of retiring opener Dimuth Karunaratne (36) to break a 70-run stand with Chandimal. Fellow veteran Angelo Mathews (1 off 26 balls) never looked comfortable replacing Karunaratne and walked immediately after edging Lyon to Alex Carey. Within an hour of lunch, Lyon could have become the seventh man to reach 550 Test wickets but Kamindu Mendis successfully reviewed what the umpire thought was an edge. But Sri Lanka's best batter of 2024 Kamindu Mendis was no match for Head's part-time off-spin. Only two days ago, Head (1-18) could not bring himself to remove his sunglasses to front the press the morning after celebrating his Allan Border Medal win. But he was back in peak condition during the second session, at the same ground where he took career-best figures on Australia's 2022 tour. After Kamindu (13) edged him to Steve Smith in the slips, Head whipped his right wrist around to signify his "hot hand". Australia's sole front-line quick Mitchell Starc (1-18) found plenty of reverse swing in an imperious second session and continued a miserable series for Sri Lanka's captain. With the toe of his bat, Dhananjaya De Silva whipped Starc straight to Beau Webster at gully on the first ball he faced, leaving Sri Lanka in all sorts at 5-127. Earlier, Connolly earned a Test debut in only his fifth first-class match, becoming Australia's least experienced debutant since 2011, when Pat Cummins played a Test in his fourth. Former Test player Simon Katich presented Connolly with his baggy green as front-line spinner Todd Murphy dropped out of the XI after having a middling series opener. Cooper Connolly into the attack for the first time in Test cricket! #SLvAUS — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 6, 2025 Before his first over with the ball, Connolly had a brief chat with Lyon, who memorably took Kumar Sangakarra's wicket with his first delivery as a Test cricketer at the same ground in 2011. Left-arm off-spinner Connolly (0-3) looked comfortable in his first two overs as a Test cricketer just before lunch, sending down a maiden in his second.
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06-02-2025
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Cooper Connolly's father in heartwarming revelation as Pat Cummins detail emerges
Aussie cricket fans are thrilled for young talent Cooper Connolly after the 21-year-old was handed his baggy green in Galle having fallen short of breaking Pat Cummins' bizarre record. After speculation Connolly could slot into the Aussie line-up for either Beau Webster or Todd Murphy for the second Test, it was the off-spinner to make way in a brutal axing on a wicket that should turn early. While it was unfortunate for Murphy, Connolly was thrilled with former Aussie opener Simon Katich presenting the Western Australian with his baggy green as his mother and father embraced their son. And the 21-year-old batter is tied second as the player with the fewest first-class matches to debut for Australia. Connolly has played just four matches for Western Australia - the same as Bill Watson - and only current Test captain Cummins and Tibby Cotter have played fewer before their debut. Connolly has impressed Australian selectors with the bat this summer having averages 61.80 in first-class cricket. Despite not taking a wicket, the young Western Australian has impressed selectors with his off-spin bowling. And he will act as a second left-arm spinner behind Matt Kuhnemann who took nine wickets in the first Test. Since the MCG Test against India, Connolly is Australia's fourth debutant in as many matches after Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis. And speaking to Channel 7, Connolly's father Shane admitted he was so proud of his son having pushed him to strive for greatness. "We have always been hard on him, so we probably expected more than most from him," Shane said after the baggy green presentation. "People would tell us he was going to be ok, but we didn't believe all the rumours, so we just kept pushing him. We are probably his harshest critics and he understands that." Fans were thrilled for the youngster and praised the 21-year-old's rise amongst the Aussie ranks. Cooper Connolly is Australia's 471st Test cricketer - and it sounds like he's also finally lived up to his dad's expectations! 😉READ MORE: — The Roar (@TheRoarSports) February 6, 2025 Cooper Connolly gets his maiden Test cap with a first-class experience of only four matches! #SLvAUS — ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 6, 2025 Cooper Connolly's Test debut in his 5th first class match. Fewest first-class matches before Test debut by any Australian since Pat Cummins (3). For context, Sam Konstas (11) had almost 3x as much first class experience when he debuted on Boxing Day #SLvAUS @abcsport — Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) February 6, 2025 Australia clearly wanted to add an extra batter to the line-up with the Galle wicket looking like it will turn earlier than the pitch used in the first Test at the same ground. And while Murphy can feel unfortuante to miss out, another player who is under immense pressure is Marnus Labuschagne. Australia made the call to keep Labuschagne in the starting XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka, despite struggling in recent months. The No.3 averaged averaged 25.8 at home against India. He also flopped in the first innings against Sri Lanka. While there were question marks over whether the 30-year-old would play the second Test in Galle, Labuscahgne lined-up with stand-in captain Smith suggesting a big score was only around the corner. "(Labuschagne) played nicely at the back end of the summer, he looked like he was putting the pressure on the bowlers a little bit more," Smith said ahead of the second Test. "The more difficult the wicket is in terms of how much it's spinning, the more aggressive you have to be with your batting and the more proactive you have to be. He understands that, he understands spin and angles as good as anyone. I don't think he's far away from a good score." While Labuschagne is safe for another Test, he does face pressure from the likes of Inglis, Cameron Green and Connolly. Green is shaping for a return to cricket before the ICC Test Championship Final. He will be returning as a specialist batter and selectors could see Labuschagne as a potential option to drop if he continues to fail. A big score from Connolly will also pile the pressure on the Queenslander as fans are starting to ask the question before the showdown against South Africa in the final.
