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Smith won’t rule out Connolly debut | 02:21
Cooper Connolly is on the brink of an Australian Test debut with the tourists considering a surprise change for the series finale in Sri Lanka.
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With the second Test pitch in Galle looking much more spin-friendly, the Aussies are weighing up the addition of 21-year-old Connolly, a Big Bash batting star who also provides left-arm spin.
But it would not be at the expense of Marnus Labuschagne despite some doubts about his place in the XI based on behaviour at training on Tuesday.
Labuschagne did not face Australia’s frontline tweakers and instead bowled his off-breaks and then faced the squad’s back-up quicks. Combined with his pedestrian form it saw questions asked about whether selectors wanted a look at a different top six heading into the World Test Championship final.
Instead, with likely WTC final opener Sam Konstas sent home early so he can play Sheffield Shield, the Aussie top six will remain unchanged according to stand-in captain Steve Smith.
“I thought he played well at the back end of the summer, it looked like he was putting the pressure on the bowlers a bit more, he was proactive in the way he was playing, and he looked good at the start of his last innings here,” Smith said of Labuschagne.
“The ball he got actually spun a fair bit from (Jeffrey) Vandersay and caught the edge. So he was disappointed to miss out last game, but he’s batting well.
“It’s just playing what’s in front of you. The more difficult the wicket is in terms of how much it is spinning and the inconsistencies, the more aggressive you actually have to be with your batting or the more proactive you have to be.
“I think when it’s a bit flatter you can almost sit on them a bit and wait for loose balls rather than go and look for them. So I think he understands that, he understands spin and angles and all those things, so I don’t think he’s far away from a good score.”
Now Connolly is a growing chance to replace fellow all-rounder Beau Webster, who has not erred since his debut at the SCG last month but did not bowl in the first Test in Sri Lanka.
Connolly has not taken a first-class wicket in his total of 96 deliveries but impressive play at training has him considered a viable option to come in at No.7.
“It’s another batter that bowls more than handy spin, and spins the same way as (Matt) Kuhnemann,” Smith said.
“We’ve got a few that go the same way as Nathan (Lyon) and Todd (Murphy).
“From what I’ve seen in the nets he bowls some really good balls. He was pretty consistent where he was bowling in Dubai and in the nets here and that’s all you’ve got to do in these conditions, try to bowl as many good balls in a good area as you can and the conditions just take over.
“I think he’s only bowled (96 balls) back in Australia, but it’s entirely different the way you bowl. And I think the way he does bowl and the way the ball comes out suits him quite nicely.”
Smith suggested Travis Head was more likely to bowl in the Galle conditions than Beau Webster, if Webster is selected. Head bowled only two overs in the first Test.
Australia is expected to confirm its line-up later on Wednesday after its final training session.
