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Live sport on SN this weekendWhy Australia is considering youngster for a Galle pitch set to “turn far more” than first Test
Lachlan Geleit, SEN • February 6th, 2025 8:53 am
The Australians are expecting some different conditions in Galle for the second Test after winning the first Test by a mammoth innings and 242 runs.
With the first Test pitch playing relatively flat early on before taking on spin as the game progressed, the wicket for the second Test, according to SEN Cricket’s Tom Morris and Bharat Sundaresan, is set to be much drier allowing the deck to deteriorate quickly and spin from the start.
As a result, the Australians believe that this Test could wrap up fairly quickly as the bowlers get the advantage over the batters.
If innings are wrapped up quickly and bowlers aren’t forced to carry big loads, Morris pondered whether selectors will go for all-rounder Cooper Connolly over Todd Murphy given that Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann and Mitchell Starc could bowl the majority of the overs anyway.
The duo spoke about what they’ve seen from the Galle deck so far on SEN’s The New Ball.
Morris: “The vibe is that the Australians believe this pitch could easily create a three-day Test.
“This could turn far more than the first Test because there's been no rain around at all.
“That might be why they go for more batting (by debuting Connolly).
“It would be a huge call to leave out Murphy and essentially play three specialist bowlers, but I guess if you’re ever going to do it, these are the conditions to do it.”
Sundaresan: “Yeah, very much so, and you could see everyone out there in the middle two days out from the Test (looking at it), and I'm sure that pitch will have more interest and intrigue.
“I think it's just the conditions as well, how much they've changed, this is what you’re used to in Galle in January. It’s hot, it’s balmy and it’s not easy conditions to play cricket.
“The sun is already baking this pitch, and I wouldn't call it a dust bowl, but I expect a few puffs of dust pretty early on Day 1.”
It is understood that the Australian selectors are considering handing a Test debut to 21-year-old West Australian Connolly who starred with the bat in the BBL this season.
Connolly has an advantage in that he also bowls left arm spin, turning it the same way as Matt Kuhnemann who took nine wickets in the first Test.
The second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia begins at 3:30pm (AEDT) on Thursday. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.
