Matt Kuhnemann suffers injury that is ‘not looking good’ for his own prospects of making Australia’s side for Sri Lanka.
Matt Kuhnemann is in serious doubt for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after the recalled spinner hurt his thumb playing for Brisbane Heat.
On Thursday night, after trying to field a straight drive from Matthew Wade off his own bowling, the left-arm offspinner sprinted from the pitch in pain.
Heat and Test teammate Marnus Labuschagne was noticeably upset after the game due to what appeared to be a serious injury to his non-bowling right hand.
“I just heard about Matt Kuhnemann, so that’s pretty bad,” he told AAP. “Thumb … it doesn’t look great. I really feel for him.”
On Sunday, Kuhnemann and Labuschagne are scheduled to depart for Dubai for a pre-Test training camp. His absence would make it more likely that all-rounder Cooper Connolly would make an unexpected debut.
Even though Connolly hasn’t yet claimed a first-class wicket, Steven Smith, Sri Lanka’s temporary captain, thinks highly of him since he spins the ball away from right-handers like Kuhnemann. The touring team already includes right-arm offspinners Todd Murphy and Nathan Lyon.
Uncapped If Kuhnemann is ruled out, some players are urging a late call-up to the team, including Mitchell Swepson of Queensland, Tanveer Sangha of New South Wales, and offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli of West Australia.
Kuhnemann played three Tests in Australia’s 2023 tour of India, his style proving effective in sub-continental conditions as he claimed nine wickets, including 5 for 16 in the second Test.