Steve Smith’s elbow scare as spinner Matt Kuhnemann firms for Sri Lanka after successful thumb surgery

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Steve Smith’s elbow scare as spinner Matt Kuhnemann firms for Sri Lanka after successful thumb surgery

Steve Smith has sent a scare through Australia’s Test camp for Sri Lanka, sporting a giant elbow brace after injuring the previously operated-on joint on Friday night.

It comes as Tasmanian and Brisbane Heat spinner Matt Kuhnemann is firming to be fit to play at least one Test in Sri Lanka despite having had thumb surgery on Friday.

Cricket Australia are confident Smith will be able to fly to the ***********’s camp in Dubai later this week despite hurting his right elbow during the rained-out Sixers-Thunder Big Bash clash.

Smith is set to take the captaincy on the tour with Pat Cummins on paternity leave but hurt himself throwing.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson told The Age the 35-year-old was “preparing to join the Test squad in Dubai later this week following further specialist input”.

It is also understood left-arm tweaker Kuhnemann will be given until mid-week to show he will be up to performing in Sri Lanka, with selectors believed to be keen to give him every chance to play after suffering a compound dislocation playing Big Bash.

Kuhnemann offers the Australians a spin away from right-handers, given that both Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy are off-spinners.

The 28-year-old made his Test debut in 2023 with three matches during a tour of India.

Camera IconSteve Smith of the Sixers. Credit: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

He picked up nine wickets at 31.11, including a six-fer, but given he sits behind Lyon and Murphy in the pecking order, opportunities outside of sub-continent tours are scarce.

Even if unavailable for the first Test in Galle on January 29, Kuhnemann could be called into action for the second match from February 6.

“He will remain in Australia while the surgical wound heals further. He is planned to resume bowling this week with a view to joining the squad in Sri Lanka if he continues to progress well,” a Cricket Australia statement read.

Hopes are still high Kuhnemann’s injury will open the door for up-and-coming West *********** all-rounder Cooper Connolly to make a whirlwind Test debut against Sri Lanka.

The 21-year-old offers the same type of left-arm spin as Kuhnemann, but he is predominantly a batter and has only a handful of First Class matches under his belt due to untimely and unfortunate injuries.

However, he did take BBL14 by storm this season, finishing the home-and-away fixtures as the competition’s leading run-scorer.

Connolly also made both his ODI and T20 international debut for Australia in 2024 as the nation’s selectors turn their eyes towards who will take over for Pat Cummin’s all-conquering men in coming seasons.

The tour could be used as an experiment given Australia have already sown up their World Test Championship final berth against South Africa.

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