Generation Next or Now? Connolly, Konstas, McSweeney lead youth charge on Sri Lanka tour

Australia’s selections for the Sri Lanka tour are a sign they have their eyes on the future, as much as the present. Generation Next is quickly becoming Generation Now, writes Robert Craddock.

Australia’s selectors have subtly changed course – Generation Next has become Generation Now.

The recall of Nathan McSweeney (25) and the promotion of young West Australian Cooper Connolly (21) for the tour of Sri Lanka is a sign that the selectors have their eyes on the future as much as the present.

And not a moment too soon.

Both players could have easily missed the tour had the selectors wanted to include more seasoned performers.

Cooper Connolly has forced his way into the Australian Test squad. Picture: Getty

Throw in spinners Todd Murphy (24) and Matt Kuhnemann (28) and teenage opener Sam Konstas (19) and you suddenly have a squad which is as much about tomorrow as today.

When you have a situation like you had this summer, with Konstas the only player in the squad under 30, you simply have to start developing youngsters.

Australia had three debutants throughout the summer – McSweeney, Konstas and Beau “Slug’’ Webster – and there will be many more to come over the next few years.

Nathan McSweeney made his Test debut in the India series. Picture: Getty

Even if he does not play a Test in Sri Lanka, Connolly is a good choice.

He was Australian under-19 captain and he bowls left-arm spin as well as batting in the middle order.

Selection chairman George Bailey was so concerned about Australia’s need for a left-arm spinner he even mentioned it at a recent press conference.

Knowing how important left-arm spinners are in Asia, it was like an open invitation for people of this unusual craft to step forward.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS AROUND THE SQUAD

ANYONE FOR OPENERS: There will be four opening options – Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Nathan McSweeney – and Australia may view conditions before settling on the duo with Head a strong chance to play at the top. Head was outstanding at the top in the last series in India. Australia have been privately talking about this option all summer. McSweeney is probably the least likely to open but could bat down the list – and he bowls off-spin. The push for Head puts pressure on Konstas who could bat down the list if required.

What does the Sri Lanka tour look like for Sam Konstas? Picture: Getty

THE QUICKS: Australia must decide whether to choose one or two quicks with Webster’s supplementary seam a key safeguard. Mitchell Starc is the first man chosen because he averages 17 per Test wicket in Sri Lanka. then Scott Boland and Sean Abbott come into play. Abbott could make his long awaited Test debut with his mid-to-lower-order batting skills a consideration if Australia picks a “funky” team for the conditions.

THE SLOW MEN: Australia will choose at least two slow men for every Test. Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann are likely to be the first two chosen.

But if the decks are old fashioned Galle turners Australia may yet play three with Todd Murphy and Cooper Connolly coming into play.

Connolly could sneak into the team batting number six if Australia don’t want to sacrifice a specialist bowler to play him.

THE CAREY FACTOR: Australia has strong traditional ties to playing keeper Carey as a No 7 batsman but this tour is the time to be flexible. He is batting as well as anyone in the team bar his best mate Head and could easily bat at No 6 if required. This is an option Australia should have used over the years for other keepers.

Originally published as Generation Next or Now? Connolly, Konstas, McSweeney lead youth charge on Sri Lanka tour