January 24, 2025: It’s great news that Matthew Kuhnemann has made a speedy recovery after his thumb injury and is set to be part of Australia’s squad for the Sri Lanka Test series. His ability to bounce back from surgery so quickly, especially with the thumb injury being quite serious, is impressive. His presence in the team will be a huge boost for Australia, especially given the spin-friendly conditions expected in Galle.
Kuhnemann’s inclusion alongside Nathan Lyon gives Australia a solid spin attack, with two quality spinners to take advantage of Sri Lanka’s spinning tracks. His left-arm orthodox spin will complement Lyon’s off-spin, giving the Australian team more options in the middle overs. With his recovery going well, Kuhnemann could be in contention for a spot in the playing XI for the first Test, making this series an exciting opportunity for him to showcase his skills.
It’s also interesting to note the quick work with the custom-made splint to protect the injury. That shows a lot of foresight in ensuring he can perform without further risk to his thumb.