Everything is clear for Smith, but speculation about spin-offs in Sri Lanka continues

Steve Smith has been cleared to rejoin the Australian Test team in Dubai but doubts remain over the availability of left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann for the upcoming two-match campaign in Sri Lanka.

Smith today consulted a specialist in Sydney about the elbow injury he suffered while playing for Sydney Sixers in last week's BBL match against Sydney Thunder at the SCG, and posted a photo on social media from the airport showing that he was on its way to the UAE.

“Steve Smith today underwent a specialist medical examination following his right elbow injury sustained during the BBL (and) has been cleared to rejoin the Test squad and travel to Dubai,” Cricket Australia said in a statement today.

“Smith is expected to return to batting later in the week and begin his preparation for the first Test against Sri Lanka (from January 29).”

Although Smith will be late to join the squad in Dubai before they leave for Sri Lanka on Friday, he will be able to take part in two or three training sessions on spin-friendly pitches in preparation for what awaits in Galle.

The Test team he will lead to Sri Lanka in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins today began their preparations for the upcoming campaign with a three-hour training session at the ICC Academy grounds in Dubai.

But while Smith is set to resume, Kuhnemann's involvement in that two-Test tour remains unknown due to the fracture he suffered to his right thumb while attempting to play from his home bowling alley in the BBL.

It is understood the left-arm spinner plans to return to bowling in Australia later this week, but the biggest concern remains his recovery from the surgical wound he suffered while repairing the fracture.

It is hoped Kuhnemann can join the squad in Sri Lanka next week, but should he be deemed unfit to take his place for one or both Tests, Australia could set a notable precedent by opting for a replacement.

The other left-arm spinner in the 16-man squad is 21-year-old Cooper Connolly, who may earn the distinction of becoming the first 'specialist' bowler to earn a Test cap without claiming a first-class wicket.

Connolly has already represented Australia at ODI and T20I level, where he admits to being “an all-rounder rather than a true spin option, but in his four first-class outings so far he is yet to pick up a scalp from the 96 deliveries he has been sent down.

The young West Australian, who has been earmarked for higher honors since first being selected for Australia's Under-19 World Cup team in 2020 at the age of 16, today bowled alongside fellow Under-19 teammate Todd Murphy in the nets of Dubai.

He also spent time chatting with Australian bowling coach Dan Vettori, one of the most successful left-arm spinners the game has seen in his playing days with New Zealand.

“I'm looking forward to spending some time with the batting group and also the bowling group, plus spending time with Nathan Lyon,” Connolly said ahead of training today.

“He is a world-class bowler so it will be nice to get some words from him and listen to him, but also Dan Vettori.

“This will be my first delivery (with a red ball) since my last Shield match (against Tasmania at the end of October).

“It's always great to get a red ball in your hand, but I'm just looking forward to it and learning as much as I can.

“I think my batting is my strong suit at the moment, but hopefully my bowling can get me there in the future if I can be classified as a (real) all-rounder.”

While Connolly's reputation as a spin threat at Test level may seem disappointing at first glance, the man who has seen more than most of the left-armer's skills up close has no doubt he could make the step up.

As a wicketkeeper for Western Australia and Perth Scorchers in the BBL, Test team member Josh Inglis has a birds-eye view of Connolly's developing craft and is impressed with how quickly the budding all-rounder has already developed.

“I definitely think so,” Inglis said today if he believed Connolly could make the step up to frontline Test spinner in Sri Lanka if necessary.

“We will have to see what the circumstances bring, and of course whether he will play, but it will also depend on what his role would be if he played an attacking role or a holding role.

“(His bowling arsenal) is something he has been working on lately, more in white-ball cricket, but with his changes of pace, and he has a really good arm ball now that he has used it a lot, which can be converted into red-ball cricket as well.

“He's very smart for a young kid and not just in his batting, he uses that in his bowling too.

“He bowled beautifully for the Scorchers this Big Bash and did really well, so I don't think there will be much change with the color of the ball.

“Hopefully he will get an opportunity (in Sri Lanka) and he will be well seen going about his business.”

Connolly's previous experience on subcontinental pitches came during a trip to the MRF academy in Chennai, which he attended in 2023, along with other current Test team members Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Murphy.

He has also experienced the low, slow tracks of the Caribbean during the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, where he captained Australia, and therefore understands how differently the surface in Galle will behave compared to the WACA Ground where he played second has played. of his first-class matches.

Connolly, who himself suffered a fractured hand while batting for Australia in an ODI against Pakistan in Perth last November, costing him his involvement in the subsequent T20I series, has empathy for Kuhnemann's current situation.

He also claims that doubts over Australia's first-choice left-arm spinner have not changed his view that his inclusion in the Test squad is primarily an opportunity to learn, and an investment in his red-ball future.

“It doesn't change my expectations. I just come here to learn and if I get my chance, try to make the best of it,” Connolly said today when asked about the speculation surrounding Kuhnemann.

“But just learn from some great cricketers and hopefully take those lessons back to Australia.

“I feel for Kuhnny (Kuhnemann), he is a great man and you never want anyone to get injured.

“I hope he recovers quickly and that we see him again soon.

“(My) bowling (is) feeling good, I spend the same amount of time bowling and batting, but I'm really enjoying it and can't wait to get stuck into it.

“It (Test selection) would be a dream come true.

“Every child dreams of putting on the Baggy Green and is just super excited about what the next few weeks have to offer.”

Qantas tour of Sri Lanka

Australia Test 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

First test: January 29 – February 2, Galle (3:30 PM AEDT)

Second test: February 6-10, Galle (3:30pm AEDT)

First ODI: February 12, Colombo (3:30 PM AEDT)

Second ODI: February 14, Colombo (3:30 PM AEDT)