Cooper Connolly tipped for surprise Test debut against Sri Lanka

Cooper Connolly has bolted into contention to make his Test debut for Australia against Sri Lanka in Galle, with the second match of the series starting this Thursday.

The West Australian all-rounder is being touted as a replacement for Beau Webster as the tourists look for different bowling options on what is expected to be a dry, square-turning pitch.

Connolly has played only four games of first-class cricket, while he is yet to take a wicket from the 96 balls he has put down in the Sheffield Shield.

However, after Matthew Kuhnemann proved so effective in the first Test, the Aussies are eager to add another left-arm spinner to their arsenal.

With right-armers Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy already on deck, stand-in skipper Steve Smith believes Connolly’s inclusion would give the Australian bowling attack a nice balance.

“It’s another batter that bowls more than handy spin, and spins the same way as Kuhnemann,” Smith said.

“We’ve got a few that go the same way as Nathan and Todd.

“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.”

Connolly has already featured for Australia in ODI and T20 cricket, having made his debut in each format on last year’s tour of the UK.

He was also one of the breakout stars of the 2024-25 Big Bash League season, finishing the campaign with 351 runs at 50.14 and six wickets at 29.66 for the Perth Scorchers.

Those efforts earned him the BBL14 Player of the Tournament award, which he shared with Melbourne Stars veteran Glenn Maxwell.

Regardless of whether or not Connolly is picked, Australia will start the second Test as red-hot favourites with top online bookmakers.

Marantelli Bet has the visitors at $1.57 to win the match and clinch a series sweep, with Sri Lanka at $2.75 and the draw paying $15.

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