Australia have named their squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with youngster Cooper Connolly being added to the squad. Nathan McSweeney and Matt Kuhnemann have also been recalled to the squad. This will be Connolly's maiden Test outing. Right-arm off spinner Todd Murphy has also found a place in the 16-member squad.
Sean Abbott and Josh Inglis, who were part of Australia's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, have also been included into the squad for the Sri Lanka series. Notably, Mitchell Marsh has been omitted from the squad. Pacer Josh Hazlewood too has been left out of the squad.
Hazlewood had been sidelined with a calf injury during India series, missing three of the five Tests. Steve Smith will be leading the side in the absence of regular sipper Pat Cummins, who will remain in Australia for the birth of his second child.
"Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions the players may experience. This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets they may encounter in each match," chair of selectors George Bailey said.
"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."
The first Test will begin on January 29 in Galle.
Australia 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