Aussies Stunned By Kuhnemann’s Recovery For Sri Lanka Test Tour

February 2, 2025: Australia’s Matthew Kuhnemann surprised everyone with his remarkable recovery after suffering a serious thumb injury during the Big Bash League. Initially, his participation in the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka seemed uncertain after he sustained a compound dislocation to his right thumb on January 16. However, in a remarkable turn of events, Kuhnemann made a speedy recovery and played a pivotal role in Australia’s dominant win against Sri Lanka in the opening Test.

When the injury occurred, Dr. Steve Frederiksen, a spectator at the Gabba, quickly assessed the damage and was concerned about the severity of the injury. Despite initial doubts, Kuhnemann was back in action just over two weeks later, playing a key role in Australia’s overwhelming victory by an innings and 242 runs. His performance was nothing short of impressive, claiming nine wickets in the match, and proving instrumental in the team’s win.

Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald admitted that he didn’t expect Kuhnemann to be fit in time for the tour. “I thought he was gone,” McDonald said, acknowledging that discussions around possible selections had already begun. There was debate over which type of spinner—finger spin or leg spin—would be most effective, but in the end, Kuhnemann was a “lock” for the opening Test just days before the match.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith, too, was astounded by the speed of Kuhnemann’s recovery, crediting the surgeon who treated him. Smith humorously referred to the surgeon as a “magician,” given the quick turnaround in Kuhnemann’s fitness.

On the field, Kuhnemann’s performance was exceptional. With sharp spin and steep bounce, he caused consistent problems for Sri Lanka’s batters. His ability to extract spin and control the ball’s trajectory made him a formidable force, especially in the subcontinent, where left-arm spinners have historically excelled.

Smith praised Kuhnemann’s consistency and his ability to generate both skid and spin, qualities that make left-arm spinners particularly dangerous in the region. Drawing comparisons to other successful spinners from the subcontinent, such as Ravindra Jadeja and Rangana Herath, Smith noted that Kuhnemann’s style of bowling—consistently challenging the batters—was highly effective. The 28-year-old had already impressed in India, and his performance in Sri Lanka further solidified his reputation as a valuable asset to the Australian team.

Kuhnemann’s resilience and impressive bowling performance were critical to Australia’s success in the opening Test, and his quick recovery added another chapter to his inspiring journey in international cricket.