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Cooper Connolly debuts for Australia in 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka batted first and made three changes to their lineup
Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and chose to bowl first. Connolly, a left-arm spinner got a 471 Australian Test Cap.
Left-arm spinner and allrounder Cooper Connolly will play his first Test match for Australia on a dry pitch that is likely to spin a lot. Sri Lanka's captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, won the toss and chose to bat in the second Test in Galle.
The 21-year-old Connolly is the fourth Australian player to debut in the last four Tests. He replaces offspinner Todd Murphy, who was part of the team that beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test.
In the four-first-class matches with 96 deliveries, Connolly wasn’t able to take any wickets, he brings an additional left-arm orthodox spin option to the team alongside Matthew Kuhnemann, which could be crucial on a pitch expected to produce significant turn right from the start. Unlike the slower surface used in the first Test, this pitch is anticipated to offer more spin early on.
Allrounder Beau Webster, who can bowl both seam and offspring, remains in the team, adding to Australia's depth. With Connolly, who has an impressive first-class batting average of 61.80, listed at No. 8, Australia's batting lineup has become even stronger.
Although Sri Lanka has no chance of winning back the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, they are determined to bounce back after their biggest-ever defeat in Test cricket. They have made three changes to their team in hopes of a better performance.
Sri Lanka has received a boost with the return of opener Pathum Nissanka, who has recovered from a groin injury and replaces Oshada Fernando. Offspinner Ramesh Mendis is back for his first Test match since the New Zealand series last September, with legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay left out. Despite not taking any wickets in the 41 overs he bowled in the first Test, offspinner Nishan Peiris retains his spot.
Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara replaces paceman Asitha Fernando. Veteran opener Dimuth Karunaratne will be playing his 100th and final Test match after announcing his retirement from the format.
The players will have to deal with stifling humidity once again, but clear weather is expected throughout the match, unlike the stormy conditions that affected parts of the first Test.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lahiru Kumara
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (capt), Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon
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