Cricket Australia has concluded that the spinner Matthew Kuhnemann will be flying to Sri Lanka on the weekend and is in the mix to play the first test.
Kuhnemann took a fitness test at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Thursday after dislocating his thumb last week.
The injury picked up while playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash was to his non-bowling hand, which means he has been able to deliver balls comfortably, but concerns have lingered over his batting and fielding.
“Matthew Kuhnemann has been cleared to join the Australian men’s squad for the Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka,” a CA spokesperson said.
Kuhnemann had said that his surgically repaired thumb was almost pain-free as he bowled, batted and fielded in Brisbane.
“Kuhnemann will join the squad in Sri Lanka over the weekend along with young Victorian batter and under-19 World Cup player Oliver Peake, who has been invited as a development player.”
Kuhnemann who shifted to Tasmania this season in a bid to continue his Test Career, is one of the three frontline spinners Australia has sent on the tour.
He has been part of the three tests, all on Australia’s tour of India in 2023 and took nine wickets.
Off-spinners Nathan Lyon and Toddy Murphy are on the trip, while Kuhnemann’s availability for the first test could shape Cooper Connolly’s hopes of a Test debut.
Meanwhile Steve Smith, the interim captain for the Australia tour of Sri lanka 2025 was the other injury concern for Australia after he picked up an elbow injury during the BBL.
Smith was also cleared to join the squad at their training camp in Dubai after seeing a specialist about the elbow issue.
The outcome of the upcoming series doesn’t rely on it as both teams qualified for the final stages after Australia regained Border Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 to book their place in WTC final, where they will take on South Africa.
The first match of the Sri Lanka tests will begin on January 29 at Galle International Stadium.
