Maxwell in line for Test return vs SL, Inglis could make debut: Report

In what could prove to be the ultimate ‘horses for courses’ move in recent Test history, ‘The Age’ have reported that Australia are planning to field a radically different starting XI for the Test tour of Sri Lanka, with both Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey likely to miss out despite starring in the side’s 2-0 win in New Zealand earlier this year.

The Age’s Daniel Brettig has reported that, for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in February next year, Australia are considering recalling the duo of Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb while handing a Test debut to Josh Inglis, keeping in mind the subcontinent conditions.

The reigning World Test Champions are also believed to be on board with opening with Travis Head — something they did in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year — while pushing Steve Smith temporarily back down the order. 

Maxwell is expected to serve as the bowling all-rounder down the order, and he is expected to complement the duo of Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann. It is believed that there is a strong likelihood that Australia might enter the series with Pat Cummins as the sole seamer, with Cameron Green taking up second-seamer duties. 

The squad, apart from Lyon and Kuhnemann, could also feature two among Todd Murphy, Corey Rocchiccioli and Mitch Swepson. Swespon and Murphy have both previously played in the subcontinent, but Rocchiccioli might be a front-runner to make the squad due to his rich vein of form in Shield cricket.

The 2023/24 Shield season saw the off-spinner top the wicket-taking charts among spinners — 46 wickets @ 27.60 — and bowl Western Australia to the title.

The two-Test series, set to be part of the ongoing WTC cycle, is expected to take place in February. 

Australia toured Sri Lanka in 2022 where they suffered an innings defeat in the second Test after registering a 10-wicket victory in the first (both in Galle).

Australia likely XI for Sri Lanka Tests

Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann