‘It doesn’t look great’: Kuhnemann in doubt for Sri Lanka tour after nasty injury

Brisbane Heat spinner Matthew Kuhnemann’s availability for Australia’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka is up in the air after he suffered a compound dislocation of his right thumb during a Big Bash match on Thursday evening.

Kuhnemann, Australia’s first-choice left-arm finger spinner, underwent surgery on Friday after being struck while bowling.

The 28-year-old was bowling his final over during the Hobart Hurricanes’ run chase when Matthew Wade hit a ball firmly back at him.

Kuhnemann tried to stop the ball, but it smashed into his right thumb in what looked to be a painful injury.

The three-Test tweaker immediately ran off the Gabba, with replays showing his right thumb out of place.

Kuhnemann was taken to hospital for treatment, less than two days out from when he and Australian teammates are scheduled to travel to the UAE for a training camp before heading to Sri Lanka.

Kuhnemann suffered a nasty thumb injury in the Big Bash. Credit: Channel 7

A Heat spokesperson said Kuhnemann had suffered a compound dislocation.

This masthead has been told by an informed source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, that Kuhnemann’s surgery on Friday went well and that he was still hopeful of being on the tour.

The good news for Kuhnemann is the injury is on his non-bowling hand, but there remains doubt over his place on the tour, given he would still need to hold a bat and be able to field.

Cricket Australia did not provide an update on Friday, with further medical advice being sought. A decision on Kuhnemann’s availability is likely to be made over the weekend.

Heat and Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne said the news did not look good.

“I just heard about Matt Kuhnemann, so that’s pretty bad,” Labuschagne told AAP after the match. “Thumb ... it doesn’t look great. I really feel for him.”

“It’s someone I’m close to, and he’s grown so much with his bowling and in Sri Lanka, he’s probably one of the first picked over there. I’m really gutted.”

Australia already have off-spinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy at their disposal for two Tests in Sri Lanka, starting on January 29 and February 6.

If Kuhnemann can’t play in Sri Lanka, Cooper Connolly’s chances of a Test debut will increase significantly, given his ability to bowl left-arm spin and turn the ball away from right-handers.

Australian selectors could be forced to call up a leg-spinner in Kuhnemann’s potential absence, with Tanveer Sangha and Mitch Swepson looming as options.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar is another option but Kuhnemann is extremely keen to be on the plane. He took nine wickets at an average of 31.11 from three Tests against India in 2023.

Seven trumps Fox Sports for Sri Lanka broadcast rights

Fox Sports’ commitment to broadcasting international Test cricket is under a cloud after Seven secured exclusive rights for Australia’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Cricket fans will be able to watch Australia’s two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle, starting on January 29 and February 6, as well as two one-day internationals on free-to-air television after Fox lost out in broadcast negotiations.

David Warner bats for Australia during Australia’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2022. Credit: Getty Images

It is the first time an Australian Test tour of the subcontinent will be shown live on free-to-air television. It is also the first time a non-Ashes Test has been shown on free-to-air since 1997, when Seven broadcast a series between Australia and South Africa.

Fox, who televise Tests in Australia alongside Seven, has been a long-standing broadcaster of overseas Tests for the past three decades. Matches are usually shown on Fox’s streaming platform Kayo Sports.

The pay-TV network broadcast the last Australian Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2022, saying in a statement at the time that it, “continues our commitment to showcasing the very best of international cricket”.

Fox Sports won’t broadcast Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka. Credit: LinkedIn

Following the success of this summer, with Australia regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Fox were eager to show the two Tests and two one-day internationals in Sri Lanka but lost out to Seven.

Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley declined to comment.

Seven Network’s head of cricket, Joel Starcevic, said in a statement: “What this summer has shown us is that Australians absolutely love their cricket, and we cannot wait to deliver even more action as Australia takes on Sri Lanka.

“The addition of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka cements Seven and 7plus Sport as the undisputed home of cricket.

“Before we head to Sri Lanka to witness Steve Smith claim his 10,000th Test run as he captains the Aussie side, this weekend marks a thrilling conclusion to the BBL regular season, setting the stage for a nail-biting race to the final on Monday, 27 January.”

Seven’s coup over Fox ends the potential of a broadcast black hole for Australian fans. The last time that happened for an overseas Australian Test series was in 1994 against Pakistan.

Seven have broadcast Australian Tests in England and South Africa but never on the subcontinent.

In a statement, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said: “The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series captivated the nation this summer with record crowds and viewership. It’s great that Australian fans will be able to watch the team again so soon in what is sure to be another compelling series in Sri Lanka.”

Amazon has exclusive broadcast rights for the World Test Championship final later this year between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s in June. Amazon will show all ICC events to Australian audiences until 2027. Channel 9 will show the 2027 and 2031 Ashes series in the UK.

A broadcaster has not been officially locked in for Australia’s three-Test tour of the West Indies in June and July.