Peter Handscomb, Matt Kuhnemann in frame for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka

Peter Handscomb has surged into contention for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka as the likely spin understudies to Nathan Lyon become clearer.

Daniel Cherny

@danielcherny

less than 2 min read

January 3, 2025 - 11:30AM

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Peter Handscomb is shaping as a likely inclusion for the tour of Sri Lanka with the Victorian veteran set to join the Australian side in Sydney during the Sydney Test.

Handscomb, 33, has been listed as a substitute fielder for the Aussies this week, as has state teammate and off-spinner Todd Murphy.

Left-arm tweaker Matt Kuhnemann will also join the Aussie camp in the coming days, with the trio all firming to be part of the Aussie squad for the two Test series in Sri Lanka beginning in Galle on January 29.

Handscomb is viewed by the national selection panel as something of an Asian conditions specialist, having played all four Tests in India two years ago.

Handscomb batting in India in 2023.

Left-armer Matt Kuhnemann played his only Test matches in India.

He has not played a home Test in six years and does not have a Big Bash League contract.

Murphy and Kuhnemann both featured prominently in India too in a series the Aussies lost 2-1.

Corey Rocchiccioli and Adam Zampa have also been pushing to be part of the Test tour.

Selectors are set to name the squad for the Sri Lanka tour in the days after the end of this Test.

Steve Smith is likely to captain Australia for at least one of the two Tests with Pat Cummins to be missing for the birth of his second child.

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Josh Inglis and Josh Hazlewood will need to prove their respective fitness as they make their way back from calf injuries.

Handscomb could provide wicketkeeping cover for Alex Carey if Inglis is unavailable.

The Sri Lanka series could determine whether Australia qualifies for the World Test Championship final, though the Aussies will sew up their spot against South Africa at Lord’s in June should they win the fifth Test against India.